A tough, tannic wine, not showing much generosity due to the astringency. There’s a great core of ripe, wild blackberries, blueberries, forest herbs and spices, but it is hard and somewhat rustic. A rich steak in blue cheese sauce will be a nice pairing. .——S.H.(9/1/2011)—— 88

Tastes more like a Zinfandel, with peppery flavors of wild blackberries and briary mulberries, edged with tobacco and balsam. Tannic, too, with a rough mouthfeel. Doesn’t seem like an ager.——S.H.(12/1/2009)—— 86