Cabernet Sauvignon is 43% of the blend, Merlot another 42%, and (surprise!) there’s 15% Cab Franc in this budget bottle. As in virtually all inexpensive Bordeaux blends, a certain amount of weediness is present, but you can find that in a $50 Pauillac. This is stiff, textured, surprisingly full, and shows some pretty cherry fruit at the core.——P.G.(12/31/2003)—— 87