Is this a bruiser or what? Opaque in color, with monster aromatics that run from tar and espresso to maple, violets, cumin and finely scented candle wax. Deep and intense as they come, with charcoal and menthol notes on top of primary blackberry and cassis. No other word besides "massive" describes it. Hugely tannic and weighing in at 17%; needs five to seven years minimum in the cellar.——W.E.(11/1/2005)—— 95