Although this blend includes two grapes new to me, it's 74% Zin (15% Carignane and 1% Mataro are the two oddities); that character certainly came through, but well-mixed with (I assume) notes new-to-me parts of the mix.
This is good-to-great; rounded berry and currant hitting the nose, complex with several distinct phases in the mouth - cherries, more currants, with tannins almost faded but still giving the structure. I suspect (although have too little experience to actually know) that this is now at the end or close of best drinking time, and will only fade from this point; drink up :).
Matched well with a mushroom consomme and *very* well with chocolate-cherry-marzipan torte. Only medium match with salmon in red wine reduction and spices - not overpowered, but slightly clashing. Was driving home, so we took half a bottle with us, decanted into a half-bottle and in fridge overnight. Next day had opened up more, lost none of the nose or structue, and matched very well with grilled steak with compound chive-shallot-pepper butter.
Gets an A-. Not as good as my favourite 97 Zin (Rabbit Ridge Hedin) but very good nonetheless; restaurant priced at $54 which seemed very good value.