Younger and more raw than the 2004 Reserve, this spent 30 months in barrel. The fruit is similar to the ’04, with ripe plum, prune and cherry liqueur. The edges are not quite as smooth as ’04, there is a slight impression of alcohol and a hint of roughness in the tannins. But overall this is a fine companion to the ’04, with a finish that brings in earth flavors of soil, compost and forest floor.——P.G.(5/1/2009)—— 93

This is just 14.2% alcohol, so despite the richness and ripeness, this is not fat or flabby. The fruit has concentrated black cherry and cassis flavors, and the smoky, pain grille flavors of barrel aging are nicely integrated. Aromatically this wine is just beginning to evolve, with complex plum, prune, cherry liqueur, coffee and smoke.——P.G.(5/1/2009)—— 93