Medium-deep in black-cherry color, the nose of this wine is packed with creosote and tar. The palate is as youthful as the nose, though it shows a far broader array of fruit tones: blackberries, mulberries, cherries and açai. Impressively nuanced and charismatic on the medium-bodied palate, the finish turns towards savory notes of tobacco leaf. It’s ready to drink now and does so well, but a more recent vintage would likely be more enticing for fruit-driven consumer preferences. Enjoy by 2019.

— Published (2/8/2017)