Mint, cedar and a bit of tomato leaf accent lovely cassis fruit. Full-bodied, with a slightly dusty mouthfeel, like finely ground cinnamon or cocoa, and picking up hints of those flavors as well. Finishes clean and crisp, with soft tannins.——W.E.(7/1/2005)—— 91

Built for the cellar, with its tannins and oak dominating. Bone dry and taut, there’s little relief now through the rasping finish. The betting is on the chewy core of cherry and blackberry fruit, but a well-marbled steak will make for a good pairing.——S.H.(10/1/2004)—— 90