Has very pretty aromas of currant, black cherry and oak. The palate impression is of gorgeous fruit: ripe, sweet, spicy and pure. Impeccable balance of acidity, soft tannins, alcohol, and subtle oak shadings. Designed for immediate pleasure and delivers plenty of it. Best Buy.
— W.E.
(8/1/2000)
A solid example of the varietal, with deeply earthy, peppery aromas, and it is certainly as clean as any wine on earth. Yet the flavors have been stretched. This leaves the strong tannins alone on the palate. Still, with almost anything you could fit on a backyard barbecue, this would be fine.
— S.H.
(11/1/2002)
Try blind-tasting this one. You might not guess the grapes but you’ll think it costs more than it does. Has currant, wild berry, plum, and earth aromas and flavors. What makes it notable are the supersoft but complex tannins and the balance. Best Buy.
— W.E.
(8/1/2000)
Smells fragrant, with very clean peach, green-apple and fig aromas, and a whiff of toast and vanilla. Tastes extracted and ripe. Fruity flavors explode on the palate along with oaky-spicy notes. Dry and rich, but a little rough.
— S.H.
(8/1/2000)
Soft and well-balanced, this ink-colored Argentinian Syrah oozes with jammy blackberry, black cherry and grape jelly flavors from start to finish. The palate also shows some creamy vanilla notes. Any easy, economical, everyday quaff.
— W.E.
(10/1/2001)
The nose consists of berry jam, wintergreen and burnt popcorn. Angular and lean, with flavors of pie cherries, tomato and peppers; in some ways it has similar flavors to a mild salsa. A clean finish with some body is the high point.
— M.S.
(12/1/2003)
In the mouth and on the finish, expect very tart black fruit, movie popcorn and an underlying metallic edge. Opens with aromas of blackgrapes, oak, plum and a little earthiness. —D.M.
— D.T.
(5/1/2002)
Lean and short, with aromas of mustard and cured meats. The palate is modest at best, with sour raspberry and pie-cherry flavors. An herbal, sharp finish leaves a pickled lasting note.
— M.S.
(2/1/2004)