This wine is midnight black at the core, with a deep purple rim and shows some seriously leathery notes on the nose. The juice itself is tough and reserved, both in texture and in fragrance. Aside from some black raisins, dried blackberries and crunchy blackcurrants, there’s not much going on here aside from some dashes of sweet and savory spices. Moderately grippy tannins and disjointed acidity keep this wine on edge. Drink now through 2017.

— Published (2/29/2016)