This wine shot to prominence in 2003 when Robert Parker rated it at 94 points and gave it a glowing review in issue 147 of his Wine Advocate. As a sub $20 wine it was too good a bargain to pass up and I ended up buying 4 cases and slowly drank my way through them over the next few years. Since I ran out of my original purchases, I have been buying them at auction, sometimes even cheaper than they were on release. This bottle was from a lot I purchased at Langtons and was showing pretty much the same as it did back in 2003.

A deep, dark inky purple color with an expressive nose of dark, juicy plums, licorice, spices and small berries. Rich & opulent, its intense and full bodied palate of plums, mulberry and redcurrant is backed by chocolate and cherry flavors. Framed by velvety tannins it finishes long with a suggestion of spice and meat.