Full ruby-red. Superripe, highly nuanced nose combines cassis, raspberry, grilled meat, flowers, sandalwood, cinnamon and roasted Provençal herbs. Then juicy and tightly wrapped, with strong acidity keeping the wine's flesh and sweetness under wraps. Flavors of sour cherry, leather and meat. Rather bracing on the back end. This doesn't quite deliver what the compelling nose promises, but a couple years of bottle aging may well result in a more pliant wine. (ST)

Lively, with pronounced earthy and leathery flavors and ripe blackberry and violet aromas. (JL)