Although both the regular bottling and the reserve were highly rated from both barrel samples and early bottle tastings, they are not impressive to taste. The regular bottling exhibits a medium ruby color, faint cassis aromas, lean, tart, cranberry-like flavors, high acidity, and a sharp, astringent finish. The sweet fruit and concentration noted in earlier tastings appear to have gone into hiding, or completely disappeared. This wine could be starting to crack up.