This fully ripe vintage it adds a gravelly minerality to Merlot’s ample fruit. The supple wine is both intense and graceful with an opulent purple color. It swirls with rich aromas and flavors of dense jammy red fruit mixed with blackberry. Those meld with nutmeg, clove, black pepper and insinuations of vanilla bean. The refined, velvety tannins create a succulent mouthfeel with some hints of toast and smoky, sweet oak to the long, luxurious finish. This wine will be charming and fruity in its youth but will surely improve in the cellar.
