Spicy, complex, elegant, white pepper nose. Well-balanced, ample fruit, good length.

Dark and tight, with plenty of resiny oak on the nose along with rich, meaty black-fruit aromas. The blend is 40% Tempranillo with 20% each of Cabernet, Merlot and Malbec. The result amounts to size and a cushioned, ripe mouthfeel. Despite the Cab’s presence, it’s still a bit low on acid, so it tips the scale toward heavy. Drink now through 2011.——M.S.(6/1/2008)—— 88