5 | Wine | Red Blend, 2005

"Exotic aromas of raspberry and blackberry preserves, cherry-vanilla, cola, incense and potpourri. Weighty, creamy red and dark berry flavors are sweetened by vanillin oak and enlivened by pepper and spice qualities. The dark berry notes build with air and carry through the long, sweet finish."

"Deep red. Highly perfumed aromas of cherry, raspberry and baking spices, plus a hint of mocha. Sappy and seamless in texture, with very good depth and clarity to its spicy red fruit flavors. Fine-grained tannins come on late and add shape to the long, penetrating, spice-dominated finish. Pretty tasty right now but this elegant wine's balance bodes well for aging."

"It has an intense minty nose of blackberry, smoke and grilled meats that is well-defined, but surprisingly taut considering the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with a tarry, leathery entry. The tannins are fine and linear, the finish classic in style with a dash of white pepper and tar. This is a very well-made Gran Reserva drinking beautifully now, but certainly it has the substance to keep."

"Bright cherry red in color, the nose reveals smoke, mineral, leather, and black cherry. This leads to an elegantly styled wine with nicely integrated oak, wild berry flavors, excellent depth, and enough structure to evolve for another 2-3 years."