Opaque from the core to the rim, this wine is visually imposing. The nose is bursting with ripe black-forest berries, violets and sloe jam. The palate adds a of pancake syrup and a dusting of sweet spices. Juicy, round, accessible and imposingly ripe, the wine nonetheless has smartly balanced, lifting acidity and lightly tugging but finessed tannins. Mostly dry from attack to finish, this is sure to be popular by the glass in casual establishments. Drinks best on its youthful fruit, now through 2016.

— Published (1/11/2016)