Read a glowing report in this month's Wine Discount Center newsletter that gave this wine a 91. At $8.49, it was worth trying. Parker gave this an 87.

Upon opening, I tried the wine in Riedel Bordeaux and Riedel Chianti glasses. I found that the Bordeaux exhibited a more open, profound nose of raisins, cherry licorice, tar, and earthy aromas. There is a massive amount of jammy dark cherries, oak, and vanilla up front. Tar, light spice, lead pencil, minerals, and raspberries echo on the slightly bitter finish. I agree with Parker's assesment that this is stylistically very international. Without the bitterness it's a 90 pointer, however, to me it's distracting. 87/88