Impressive in appearance, this wine is pitch black at the core and allows the barest showing of a dark, morello cherry rim. The nose is peaty and smoky, with a light menthol note. There are tart blackberries, boysenberries and black plum skins. The rather juicy palate is well reined-in by supporting acidity and lightly stringy tannins. No sign of new oak peeks through the wine’s pristine clean fruit. A nice bistro wine by the glass or bottle, best enjoyed now through 2017.

— Published (7/30/2015)