This deep maroon-colored wine has a magenta-tinged rim. Except for subtle notes of forest floor and smashed blueberries, the nose is rather shy, despite showing some pleasant volatile acidity. Perhaps that’s what makes the wine seem to hit every crevice of the palate, infusing it with mulberries and morello cherries as well as a dash of sweet spices and barnyard funk. Smooth at the beginning, the medium-plus finish dries out the palate a bit, but with a nice bite of something deliciously fatty—bacon-wrapped dates come to mind—that won’t be a problem at all. Enjoy now through 2019.

— Published (2/29/2016)