Midnight black, this wine has a surprisingly vibrant, if small, purple-magenta meniscus. The nose is magnanimous in its oak influence. Cardamom, cumin, dark chocolate, ganache, savory spice and black fruits all meld together. Though the nose is quite fresh, the palate is beginning to show nuances of advancement in its generous wet Cuban cigar wrapper aromas. A bruiser on the palate in terms of weight, there is plenty of support from the wine’s medium acidity and finessed, tight-grained tannins. Drink now through 2018.

— Published (6/16/2014)