Spice, floral red fruit and cassis notes create the bouquet and flavor profile. The palate feels fresh and full bodied, and the finish is chocolaty, ripe and medium in length and strength. — (3/1/2013) —88

A little sharp smelling, with earth, leafiness and rubbery aromas. In the mouth, it’s round and fairly balanced, with juicy acidity and herbal-olive flavors along with blackberry. Dark and herbal on the finish. ——M.S.(6/1/2011)—— 85

Mildly herbal black-fruit aromas carry notes of tea and bell pepper, but it’s not decidedly vegetal. The palate is full but carries some acidic snap, and the flavors of blackberry, black cherry, chocolate and Chinese plum sauce are good. Finishes with an espresso coffee-bitter bite and some woodiness.——M.S.(9/1/2009)—— 87