Black as prune juice almost to the rim, the nose of this concentrated Shiraz boasts extremely ripe to overripe fruits of roasted fig and black olive. Happily, the palate surprises with juicy generosity and fresh acidity. There is a much welcomed, mouth-coating layer of glycerol and vigorous but not drying tannins that make it easy to throw back a glass or two as long as the high alcohol doesn’t build up too much in the process. Simple overall, save the generous new oak, most will look favorably on this bottling. Drink now through 2018.

— Published (2/29/2016)