Spicy and sharp, with mountain berries and slightly green, bitter tannins. Young and tight, this needs more time to knit itself together. ——P.G.(10/1/2011)—— 85

Exotic scents immediately characterize this wine as fascinating; weaving together incense, smoke, wild berry, baking spices and plum jam. Yet the wine retains a delicacy, lightness, its flavors based upon juicy acids rather than new oak. It showcases the fruit, and does so with grace and panache.——P.G.(10/1/2010)—— 88

Though Malbec makes up three-fourths, there is also a substantial amount of Cab Sauvignon and Franc, making this a sort of inverted Meritage. It is the most black and inky of the new releases, yet not as jammy as the warmer 2003 vintage. This version shows red fruits such as pomegranate and red currant, expanding into a full, spicy mid-palate. It then surprisingly turns a corner and adds licorice and gingerbread to the mix, with a hint of mint. A complex, intriguing wine.——P.G.(4/1/2007)—— 90

Black and inky, this aromatic potpourri sends up scents of wet earth, truffle, spice, wild berries and even a bit of Provencal garrigue. Concentrated and tannic, it adds elements of raw meat, leaf and forest floor as it rolls across the tongue. Just a bit hot in the finish. ——P.G.(11/15/2005)—— 89