Fruit filled without being jammy, the nose exudes fruit (raspberry and blackberry) and oak notes on an expressive earthy background. The wine is dry and spicy mid-palate with mocha notes above the delicious fruit. The tannins are a bit drying, the moderate acidity refreshing, and the fruit finish lingers beautifully. Superb wine to age for 5-8 years.

This wine opened up with aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, leather, tobacco, cracked pepper, vanilla, savoury and herbal notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dried herb flavours, spicy with fine texture, fresh acidity and silky tannins. Medium length on the finish, dry with savoury notes and tobacco flavours. I truly enjoyed the moderate alcohol at 13.5%, very well balance and enjoyable, savoury style red blend.

Great review Paul!

I've found the aging qualities of 2007 Niagara reds (and of earlier good vintages, such as 2002) to be hit and miss, but this is one of the hits. It's holding very nicely at 7 years of age, with solid fruit, a touch of spice from the well-integrated oak, hints of minerality and pencil lead, and few signs of fading. No great profundity here, but well put together and eminently drinkable.

April 2013: Good deep colour, only just starting to lighten at the rim. Initial wiff utterly classic -- blackberries, smoke, tobacco & cedar. With time some earthiness developed. Palette is a little more New-World-ish, with the oak evident, and lots of ripe fruit beneath. Med to full bodied -- you can tell it's a ripe vintage. Lingering spiciness on the finish, with the tannins still quite noticeable. This will probably go another 5 with no problem. Enjoyable, but not quite delivering in the complexity department to hit the 90 point threshold.