Beetle shell black and almost opaque at the core, this aromatic wine smells of black cherries and pine resin. Its flavors are a mash-up of red and black fruits—sweetened and dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, açai and plump black raisins. Medium in body, with a drizzle of viscosity, the wine’s firm and lightly chewy tannins are pleasantly emphasized by the mouthwatering acidity. Best with food, this would be a killer pairing for char-grilled flank steak. It drinks well now but has enough depth of freshness and structure accompanied by a medium-length finish to suggest it should evolve well through 2019.

— Published (5/19/2016)