A stemmy, weedy wine with a chippy mouthfeel, edgy tannins and grating acidity. Balance and harmony are not in the cards here; the wine is a messy mix of buttery oak and burnt, stalky fruit. The finish is muddled and mills around with no place to go.——M.S.(3/1/2012)—— 81

Intense, bright, black fruits with sweet cinnamon and nutmeg spice. Decent tannins, well-balanced and long.

This wine requires breathing time to show its true colors. Early on it’s reduced and cheesy, but soon it offers cleaner aromas of cola, berry and dark plum. The acidity is a bit high and sheering, but on the plus side it’s fresh and driving, with bright cherry and berry flavors along with ample oak. ——M.S.(3/1/2011)—— 87