Had this last night after the '99 Mathews (not entirely fair, I know) with just a little something I whipped up.

Had that deep garnet color I love in my Barbarescos, w/excellent clarity and long, thin, clear legs. Dark red fruit aromas, mushrooms (or earth), and leather aromas, with flavors of dark cherry and plums, wet earth, spicy cedar, and an interestingly dry and spicy finish. Tannins were quite present but very fine. Not nearly as good as the '97 but a nice red, especially with food. Kybo sez 87 pts., $21, "B+" QPR.

Paired this w/scallops sauteed in butter and olive oil w/sun-dried tomatoes, katamala olives, and fresh basil chiffonnade on angel-hair pasta, with a drizzle of olive oil to finish. The sweetness of the scallops and the concentrated punch of the sun-dried tomatoes actually brought the wine 'up'. Who says you can't have red wine with fish?