An impenetrable black color, this wine has an enormous, exuberant, wild nose that most sippers will love. It’s packed with notes of blackberry, sloe jam, cassis and dried fig. The palate unloads copious quantities of sweet spice tinged by vanilla bean and a touch of old leather from beneficial development in bottle. The moderate and smartly sculpted tannins are supported by lifting acidity, with a medium-length finish. This spice-driven, super-seductive well-aged package will make almost every consumer swoon. Drink now–2017.

— Published (2/19/2015)