Aged 16-18 months in French oak has rounded this wine out on the palate, but had intensified the nose. Aromas are spiced-raspberry, cherry, cranberry cocktail and white pepper ... but it's really the spice that take over sniffer-wise. I found it interesting that with such a spiced aromatic the palate shows a relative softness with spiced-raspberry showing up on the finish s the only hold over from the nose. otherwise you're looking at brooding red cherry notes with good acidity. Price: $49.95 - Rating: ****