Carbon black at the core, with a violet-tinged, magenta rim, this wine’s significant glycerol gives a gloss-coat feeling to the full-bodied palate. Packed with youthful mulberries and blueberries, it is all up-front fruit, with a pleasant smidge of earthiness on the short finish. Easygoing, with lots of fruit suppleness, the lightly gangly and sinewy tannins give it a pleasantly balancing dryness on the back palate. This is perfect for a gathering around a charcoal-fueled barbecue pit. Drink now–2019.

— Published (2/8/2017)