Cheval and Champoux. Snappy and crisply defined, this sharp-edged wine opens with tight berry flavors, some chalky acids, and grainy, stony tannins. It shows less flesh than the other reds, more acid, and a stiffness to the tannins. After extensive airing the vanilla flavors come out, along with an interesting spice. The fruit is clean and ripe, and the balance, except possibly for the chalky acids, is right on.——P.G.(8/1/2007)—— 88

Basically it’s the same mix of grapes as the Miscela, but from different vineyard sources. There is a bit of leather and tack room in the nose, but it does not completely submerge the soft, pretty cherry fruit, which finishes with flavors of cut tobacco leaf. This wine is perhaps more approachable and a bit funkier than the Miscela, without the classic structure. ——P.G.(3/1/2007)—— 87