The Bottom Line: What's all the fuss about? There's been a lot of accolades splashed about for this wine. Sure, it's a drinkable red with more density than most, but density alone does not make a good wine. Overall, it's fair. $18
The Rest Of The Story: What else is there to say? This is an average wine we can't advocate shopping for. Dense, but one dimensional, it's lopsidedly tannic (even after a few days), hard, and uninspiring.
Anyone calling it a "food wine" is looking to excuse its shortcomings.
For almost the same price you can pick up a bottle of the newly released 2007 Phantom and experience a fantastic wine, sans hype.