4 | Wine | 1996 | Page 2

"A fresh, elegant rosé, with just a hint of strawberry and cherry flavors, while the citrus and smoke notes dominate. Very refined and well-integrated, with a firm aftertaste of cherry and spice."

"Delicate for 1996, with floral, lemon and bread dough notes and a nice texture. It's still tight and racy, with a laserlike acidity on the finish. I'd like to see a little more generosity and length at this stage, but it shows finesse."

"Rich and complex, with a focused, full-bodied core of earth, currant, mineral, tar, cherry and spice, firming up on the finish. Wonderful depth and dimension that cellaring should reward."

"Boasts an impressively saturated purple color, in addition to a backward yet intense nose of black plums, currants, licorice, and smoke. Following terrific fruit on the attack, the wine's structure and tannin take over. There is plenty of sweet fruit, and the tannin is well-integrated." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Unfined and unfiltered, this viscous wine displays the tell-tale thickness of color (saturated dark ruby/plum/purple). The wine's exotic bouquet is just beginning to form, offering up notes of iodine, roasted coffee, jammy black fruits, and pain grille. In the mouth, it is medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin, terrific texture, and outstanding purity and length." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Tight-grained, with an immediate impression of the sea before forest floor and citrus notes take over. This is bright and fresh, with plenty of spice, toast and candied berry flavors, backed by a firm structure. The finish just keeps going."

"Very ripe, slightly jammy aromas of raspberry, chocolate and smoked duck. Sweet and velvety, but sound acids give the fruit an unusually penetrating quality. Quite long and oaky on the finish; chewy tannins coat the palate." 89-91 pts.