8 This wine has traveled miles in the right direction compared to its early incarnations. It’s piercing and potent up front, with cigar box, mocha, toast and coffee aromas in addition to fine flavors of tobacco, cassis, vanilla and lightly baked berry and cassis. Finishes wavy and long; 50% Syrah along with Merlot, Cab and Carmenere.——M.S.(12/31/2011)—— 91