I expected this wine to perform better and would have liked to have tasted it a second time given its slightly dusty, rough tannins. It exhibits a dense color as well as good weight on the attack, but its rusticity and unexpected lack of charm are worrisome. This wine may be better than its recent performance suggests.

Ripe but restrained, with nicely sinewy embedded, structure carrying solid black currant, black cherry and fig fruit, followed by graphite and sweet earth on the finish. Drink now through 2011. 25,979 cases made. -JM

A firm but sweet-hearted wine, packed with juicy black fruits that balance the acidity and tannins. It has weight, good depth of flavor and a chance to age well.——R.V.(3/9/2011)—— 90