Intensely black with a crimson edge, this wine is impressively perfumed. It smells of coriander, clove, lilac, turmeric and cumin as well as sloe, blackberry and fresh fig. The palate adds tones of forest floor and charcoal. Mouthcoating on the attack, the wine quickly turns dry with aggressive, splintery tannins. Though full bodied and high in alcohol, there is medium-plus acidity to carry the weight, despite the fact it does so rather awkwardly. Some will appreciate this wine’s heft and force, but it is rather inelegant and disjointed. Drink now through 2016.

— Published (6/16/2014)