The 2009 “Chosen - Sapphire is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Syrah aged for 16 months in new French oak. This seems dominated early on by the Syrah component, showing a welcome earthy note to go with the acidity and sharp, tannic finish. Modest in the mid-palate, it has some grip on the finish and drinks quite pleasantly, likely to be a good food matchup. Whether it does enough for its price range is up to you, but there is some chance that this can still improve in the cellar and acquire better balance, so I’m leaning up just a bit. Drink now-2018. Importer: Royal Wine Corp., Bayonne, N.J.; tel: (718) 534-0118.