Onyx black at the core, this wine has a deep mulberry rim. Its fragrant nose is multifaceted, with scents of roses, baking spices, duck fat, boysenberry jam and dates. The attack is pleasant but firm, with straggly tannins and boisterous acidity. There’s oodles of flavor on the palate: cracked black pepper, fresh blackcurrant, black plum skin and a vein of crushed mineral. This is a distinctive wine sure to appeal to Old and New World wine lovers alike. It’s sure to benefit in the cellar with its long-lasting flavors and pronounced structure drink now through 2022.

— Published (2/29/2016)