This midnight black wine with a Marasca cherry rim has an exotic nose of underbrush, peat and motor oil as well as blackberry coulis. The palate tastes of tart blackcurrants, sloe jam and dry-aged steak. Structurally, it is forthrightly firm, but there’s the perfect amount of fruit to support the strict tannins and sassy acidity. The finish lingers, with oodles of baking spice and leathery notes. It appears to be at its peak as the fruits are starting to dry out.

— Published (5/19/2016)