Losing some of its luster, this wine reached maturity very quickly and now seems to be turning the corner in a slow downward spiral. The wine has a dark plum color with considerable amber at the edge. The exotic nose of dried herbs, camphor, Asian spice, licorice, and black fruits is followed by a soft, round, medium-bodied wine that is beginning to show some hardness to the tannin and a rather dry, scratchy finish. It needs to be drunk up, but still remains a very tasty, elegant style of l’Evangile. Anticipated maturity: Now-2007. Last tasted, 11/02.