Dark purple/ruby with highly intense nose. Purple lilacs, sandalwood, cedar & pine, cloves, blueberry, mulberry, dark cherry, pipe tobacco, dark chocolate & eucalyptus (due to the high alcohol). Highly complex nose, almost reminds me of a good quality Napa Meritage. On the taste less complex & a let down from the nose (absolutely love the nose). Dry, med+ acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, long length, med+ body & balanced. Shows cedar, blueberry, mulberry, dark & sour cherry, leather, fennel & pomegranate. It lost points for noticeable high alcohol on taste & a let down from nose to taste. It could have been an outstanding wine, but now it's just a good one. Bought it on sale for $34.35.

Tasted 18 April 2011.

Score: 9/10, Value: 6/10 (7.5/10 sale price), Total: 15/20 & 16.5/20 respectively. FYI nose is a 10/10.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5