In
addition to the very soft ruby color there is a lovely balance to
the wine which makes it imminently approachable. There is a nice
array of berry fruits with a bit of red and dark cherries. Mixed in
with the fruit notes are some nice earth characters of leather and
chalk with just a ever so slight veg character which lends the wine
to an old world style. The oak is nicely integrated into the
balance and offers some soft vanilla and cocoa notes to the overall
balance. The tannins are very soft and give way to a very clean
mouth feel. The 2004 Gabriel Archer could be consumed now or in a
few years. The wine should age gracefully and compliment many
different foods.
