The aromas are light and elusive here with pencil eraser, dried cranberries, leather, and currant. The palate is full of tart cherry and cranberry flavors backed by grainy tannins. Shows some heat on the finish.

With alcohol reaching 14.6%, this reserve bottling is quite ripe—some might say too ripe—with fruit tasting of raisins and prunes. There’s plenty of oak, a hint of smoke, and heat in the finish.——P.G.(4/1/2010)—— 85

Big, woody, saturated and vinous, this 14.6% alcohol reserve Merlot will not dazzle you with its subtlety. But if does offer lush blackberry fruit, lots of lumbering oak, coffee-flavored tannins and a fulsome presence in the mouth.——P.G.(11/15/2008)—— 87