Dark red in color. Lots of cedar, earth, tobacco, and black cherry in the nose and palate. More advanced than I anticipated as most of the '96s I've drank over the last year screamed for more cellar time. That said, the wine is not anywhere near decline. Medium bodied, with a medium finish that shows tannins, but not intruesively, I'd drink with red meats now through 2010. 89+ pts.