Three things mark this Côtes-du-Rhône-style wine: ripe fruit, softness and tannins. The fruit is impressively deep in blackberries, cherries, currants and unsweetened baker’s chocolate. The tannins are brisk and smooth, making for good architecture. Oak adds welcome notes of vanilla and char. The high alcohol does not make the wine hot, merely a little sweet in…
— S.H.
(3/1/2008)
A good, everyday red wine, medium-bodied and dry, with complex cherry, currant, lavender, herb, spice and sandalwood flavors. Nicely constructed and savory.
— S.H.
(10/1/2009)
An attractive wine. Dry and tannic, it's made rich by complex flavors of red and black cherries, cola, licorice, bacon and smoky sandalwood. Needs a good steak, and a little decanting won't hurt.
— S.H.
(12/16/2011)
The high alcohol gives this wine heat, a chili pepper kind of burn that isn’t exactly unpleasant. It seasons the rich blackberry and black cherry flavors, and causes the tastebuds to crave the alleviating effects of food. Grilled lamb would be perfect. Finishes sweet, which for me reduces the score a point.
— S.H.
(5/1/2007)
This is a Châteauneuf-style blend of Rhône varieties, a soft, simple and slightly sweet red. It brims with ripe black cherry, raspberry, mocha-choca, cola, rum punch and licorice flavors.
— S.H.
(5/1/2007)
The very high alcohol clearly shows in the peppery, Porty aroma and hot, prickly mouthfeel. The taste is of blackberry and cherry pie filling, coconut macaroon and rum-and-coke. Having said that, it’s good in its own way, and barbecue will help.
— S.H.
(3/1/2008)
Tastes off-dry to sweet, with sugary flavors of apricots, peaches, pears, honeysuckle flowers and vanilla, with a touch of smoky oak. Crisp acidity helps provide balance.
— S.H.
(12/31/2009)
Almost a dessert wine, it’s so rich in sugary flavors of pineapples, apricots, peaches and vanillas. Crisp acidity fortunately provides clean balance, but it’s not really a dry table wine.
— S.H.
(12/31/2009)