Soft and juicy, this dry wine is infused with pure cherry and red plum flavors. It’s tannic, but smooth and complex. Shows real finesse through the spicy finish. ——S.H.(10/1/2005)—— 87

The “goal is consistency” for this 950,000-case production, which is also the number-one selling red wine in the States. It’s soft on the palate, with simple blackberry and raspberry fruit flavors, with briary-acorny accents. Sours up on the finish, which shows herbal, seeped-tea flavors.——W.E.(6/1/2004)—— 84

Simple and fruity in blackberries and coffee, this wine is dry and sharp, with some stalky notes.——S.H.(5/1/2005)—— 83