Broodingly black throughout, this wine has a wee scarlet rim. Its nose is advanced and shows aromas of animal, creosote and bacon fat. Though full bodied, the wine is rather trim in structure given its moderately firm tannins, chiseled acidity and zero glycerol. The finish of blackberries, black-plum skin, black currant and prune lingers despite the drying effect of the tannins. This is a suave wine with many attractive characteristics, yet it is advancing quickly for its age enjoy before 2017.

— Published (6/16/2014)