From young vines in this southwest Napa appellation, a dramatic wine, dense and opulent. It’s dark and brooding to look at, a purple, glyceriney wine that could easily lose balance, but doesn’t. Underlying flavors of plum, blackberry, licorice and spices are balanced with superb tannins and acids and just-right oak. The finish is incredibly long and satisfying. Only the second commercial release. ——S.H.(12/1/2002)—— 93