This wine’s black color is quite imposing, despite its fairly wide maroon rim. Stuffed with sweet spice and fresh fig, its nose is exotic and compelling. The palate shows flavors of blackened walnut, fig skin and balsamic vinegar. There’s also blackberry compote and desiccated plum. Boisterously ripe, the wine nonetheless has fine-grained and grippy tannins along with good acidic tension. Drinks well by the glass for those who like a touch of age, but is probably best with dry-aged steak for most palates. Drink now through 2016.

— Published (6/19/2014)