Carbon black at the core, this wine smells enticingly of rusting iron and beef jerky. The palate is similarly advanced and showing faint, mushy mulberry fruit. Still, there are some exotic notes of North African spices, burnt caramel-glazed Brazil nuts and roasted black plums. The finish lingers pleasantly, with a refreshing hit of acidity and vaguely grainy tannins. This is a wine for a table set with hearty dishes, best enjoyed now through 2018.

— Published (5/19/2016)