The rustic nose is leathery and a bit sulfuric, but it isn’t unappealing. Nor is the bold cherry and cassis palate, which is touched up by some coffee. The finish is loaded with berry fruit. The only fault here is its depth: Everything positive is front and forward and there’s nothing underneath. The blend is 55% Cabernet and 45% Tempranillo.
— M.S.
(11/1/2002)
At this price it’s hard to argue with the spicy, smoky nose and likable black cherry and plum flavors. And it finishes peppery and fairly long. Yes, it’s a bit hard and short on depth, but it’s only six bucks. —M.S.
— M.S.
(5/1/2003)
The nose is fresh at first, but it has little staying power so it gets funky fast. Grapefruit is the dominant flavor, that and some lime and green apple. The finish features pink grapefruit, but there’s a burning feel to it. —M.S.
— M.S.
(5/1/2003)
The nose is potent if not obviously pretty; there’s way too much barrel char and sulfur. Dull strawberry flavors mix with some cherry on the palate, while the finish is light and a tad weedy. —M.S.
— M.S.
(5/1/2003)
Some apple is evident on the nose prior to flavors of lemon and green beans. The finish is warm, with a good feel to it. But it’s quite heavy with green-bean notes, much like the palate. –M.S.
— M.S.
(5/1/2003)
What some might generously call “terroir” will probably come across as funky and barnyardy to most. It just doesn’t smell that great. Flavors of berry syrup, currant and rhubarb are present on the palate and the finish. This is clearly not the best that Argentina has to offer. It’s 75% Malbec and 25% Syrah.
— M.S.
(11/1/2002)
The nose is sulfuric and gassy, and it takes forever for that to blow off. Flavors of beet, cherry, raspberry and plum are adequate, but the finish is disjointed, dry and buttery. –M.S.
— M.S.
(5/1/2003)