Vinous - Score: 93 (2002 January)

Saturated medium ruby. Superripe, extremely expressive aromas of roasted black fruits, woodsmoke, leather and maple syrup. Fat, sweet and round, but with plenty of underlying backbone. Sappy, sexy and very ripe, with wild flavors of game, fresh blood and leather. More animal than usual for this wine, more Hermitage-like, in the style of this vintage. Really fills the mouth with fruit and soil tones. Finishes very long, with the substantial, ripe tannins coating the teeth. I'd bet on this one for the long haul.