Allen Meadows - Score: 91 (2002 Jan.)

Saturated deep ruby color, whiff of new oak to go with the explosive black raspberry fruit and almost liqueur-like flavors with lots of sweet pinot sap, buried tannins and excellent length. It is very ripe and powerful yet not over the top and remains beautifully elegant. Almost irresistible now yet it should benefit from 7 to 8 years in the cellar and drink well for a long time after that.