This wine is midnight black at the core, with a dark purple rim. Its nose is seductive, showing oodles of new oak finesse, a splash of new leather and supremely ripe black fruits. By contrast, the palate is focused and chiseled, but the oak is still apparent, with intense dark chocolate coating the ripe blackberry fruit. The lifted acidity and slightly sinewy tannins give this wine impressive definition. Along with the generous finish, the refined structure suggests this wine, while fine to drink now, would benefit from some additional age drink now through 2020.

— Published (2/29/2016)