A tough, gritty wine not offering much richness. It’s very dry and quite acidic, and the modest cherry flavors veer into tobacco, white pepper and sage.——S.H.(4/1/2010)—— 84

Soft and silky, with moderate alcohol that seems to have been achieved at the cost of some sweetness. The cherry flavors taste like they were dusted with white sugar. ——S.H.(3/1/2006)—— 83

Smells simple, with candy-jammy wild-berry and tar aromas and an earthy, stemmy streak. The flavors are sweetly berryish, with a simple structure and soft tannins and acidity. ——S.H.(11/15/2001)—— 83

The aroma is dominated by tomato, coffee bean, mushroom and berry; kind of herbal and earthy. It’s tasty enough, with pretty berry flavors and a nice spiciness that lingers on the finish. Dry, with sturdy but drinkable tannins. This could benefit from a year or so in the bottle.——S.H.(10/1/1999)—— 86