A couple of years ago the wine seemed heavy and stewy, but as it ages it seems to be showing the ripeness and richness from before, as well as intriguing notes of tobacco, chocolate and baked plum. More than the flavors, the wine impressed this time around courtesy of smooth tannins, flushness and mouthfeel. In a word, it has found a groove.
— M.S.
(6/1/2007)
Cassis, plum skin and cedar accent aromas of stone dust. The flavors are meaty, with blackberry and earth dominating. Rich and full of dark fruits but lacking in real depth, this is a very approachable wine that ought to be enjoyed now.
— C.S.
(11/1/2002)
Big and round, with color and a bouquet of rubber, leather, chocolate and berries. Plump and smoky on the palate, but kind of hard and tannic. And with time those tannins become even more monstrous in their collective intensity. Still, as a whole there’s solid flavor and plenty of clout. Imported by Classical Wines.
— M.S.
(10/1/2005)
Full and toasty, with roasted fruit, meat and leather on the ripe, robust bouquet. Blackberry and plum flavors are good, and the mouthfeel is manly if a bit tannic. Undoubtedly a warm-vintage wine with size but not a ton of depth. Drink now.
— M.S.
(11/1/2006)
This opens with strong scents of rubber, burnt leaf and funky berry that stay with the wine all the way until the finish. It feels wiry, tight and jumpy, with raspberry, plum and leather flavors, plus a rubbery note on the finish.
— M.S.
(12/31/2012)