Tomato leaf, rich, ripe chocolate and spicy red fruit bouquet. A successful blend of sweet, ripe fruit, chocolatey oak and ripe tannins. The fruit is vivacious and classically structured. Needs time and a T-bone steak! Alc: 14.5%.

Meaty and seemingly ripe up front, with plum and strawberry aromas. The palate has a tight, firm feel along with flavors of plum, raspberry and bramble. Healthy and forward for sure, with a tight finish based on tannins and slight bitterness. A good food wine but one that’s limited in complexity.——M.S.(5/1/2009)—— 86