A bit aggressive and hot at first, and then mossy and earthy. The palate delivers weight and forceful acidity, while the berry flavors are robust but grating and weighed down by a lot of warm, woody overtones. Like a bucking mule; at $28 it seeks to be more than it is.——M.S.(9/1/2009)—— 83

Unusual and sweet in the nose, with something similar to cinnamon or all-spice aromas. There is quite a woody undertone here; you get it in the nose and again on the palate. This wine is the proverbial hare, not the tortoise. It starts fast, making a good impression, but it fades before the finish line.——M.S.(1/28/2004)—— 83