The 2003 Aalto is a purple-colored wine offering a stylish nose of smoke toast graphite blueberry and blackberry liqueur. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied ripe but slightly compact and the finish is firm. It would appear that the 2003 vintage has removed some of the generosity normally found in this wine in top years. Nevertheless it is a fine effort that should drink well through 2027.

Ripe fruit flavors of black cherry and fig are sweetened by vanilla oak in this plush jammy red. The tannins are big ripe and well-integrated. Not polished but exuberant and full of pleasure. Drink now through 2012. 1600 cases imported.