This dark, blackberry-colored wine smells strikingly like an exotic bazaar. Savory North African and Silk Road spices swirl together with accents of gaminess. Surprisingly, the palate turns out less brooding than the nose suggests. It starts with some candied cherries and tart pomegranates then shows edges of nougat and violet candies. Decisively well-balanced, it’s silky in texture, with excellent acidic liveliness that segues into a pithy, dry finish. Big boned yet showing subtle oak, this would be a good wine by the glass. It’s drinking well now and while it might hold, there seems little reason to wait. Drink now–2020.

— Published (1/31/2018)