Asphalt black at the core with a deep crimson rim, the nicely evolved nose of this wine shows notes of cigar wrapper, incense, North African spice and mulled berries. The lightly rustic tannins reveal the wine’s drying side, but the medium acidity remains discreet. In sum, there’s a delicate balance between the two. Just over the peak of its prime, this wine is hanging on but needs to be drunk up, ideally with rustic meat dishes.

— Published (6/11/2015)