A ripe yet attractively fresh nose combines notes of still surprisingly primary red and dark berry fruit, a full complement of spice elements along with hints of earth and exotic tea. The big-bodied, robust and powerful flavors brim with sappy dry extract that helps, but doesn't quite manage, to buffer the still firm tannins on the bitter chocolate inflected finish that offers excellent persistence. This is impressive, indeed imposing, in its fashion and a wine that is still slowly, if progressively, shedding its structural carapace and as such, I would advise holding it for another 5 years though I suspect that 8 to 10 will be closer to the mark if you wish to see it at its peak.

---

Show more

---

---

Show less

---