Firm, fruity flavors. Simple yet intriguingly complex with a long, full finish and a little zingy spritz.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Good full red. Explosive nose offers black raspberry, smoke, dried flowers, espresso, menthol, tar and truffle; more complex than past vintages of this blend. Suave, broad and dry, with excellent inner-mouth energy thanks to fresh acidity. The tannins build on the back end, but pepper and spice notes give lift to the long finish." (Nov/Dec 07) 90 points Wine Spectator: "A subtle, yet complex and perfumed nose, with flowers, plum and blackberry. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a polished texture. Delicately fruity and refined. More open than Vietti's big name single-vineyard Barolos. Best after 2010.

This blockbuster inky purple Petite Sirah is rich with blueberry, boysenberry and cassis fruit, raw cinnamon and a hint of molasses. The fleshy mid palate is juicy and generous with ripe plum and a refined tobacco, sweet cherry essence, which finishes with sweet toffee and vanilla notes. With its rich tannin level and dry oak profile this wine is approachable now, but age well through the years.