With scents of dark cherry, Indian ink, wild strawberry and a touch of raspberry preserve, all with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of red berry fruit. The tannins are strong and quite robust, although it is counterbalanced by plenty of fresh red fruit mingling with dried herbs, white pepper and a touch of sage.
The sexy second wine of this estate, the 2005 Blason D’Issan, has a surprisingly saturated, ruby/plum/purple color, wonderful sweet black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, silky tannins, medium body and outstanding concentration, richness and length.
The 2005 La Vina de Andres Romeo is a bit more brooding and backward. Opaque purple/black, it has an alluring nose of toasty oak, pencil lead, scorched earth, espresso, truffle, and blackberry.