2008 Spring Mountain Elivette Reserve

(75% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 1% malbec): Good medium-dark red. Dark cherry, mocha, tobacco leaf, fresh herbs and a rather intrusive woodsmoke quality on the nose. Fine-grained in texture but with the smoky oak element currently overshadowing red and darker fruit flavors. Owing to its modest sweetness of material, the tannins turn a bit dry with air.