Impressively black at the core, this wine has a dark raspberry-colored rim. Its legs are impressively glass-staining. It smells of creosote, blackberries and cassis. The palate luxuriates in Damson plums, soy, caramel, fig and ground cinnamon. The attack is broad and mouthcoating with moderate acidity and judiciously drying tannins. The quick finish suggests this wine is best drunk up in its younger days, and it is highly satisfying now—by the glass or the bottle. Drink through mid-2016.

— Published (3/27/2014)