Back in 2007 The Foreign Affair released its first and only Conspiracy - an appassimento-style wine: meaning they re-poured or re-passed the wine over Amarone-style wine skins, creating what the wineries in Veneto call Ripasso (Ripassa). The results are a fleshy fruity wine with the holding power of close to a decade. Lots of red and black fruit lead the charge on this nose here with hints of chocolate kicking around. This follows onto the palate with a lovely smoothness and silkiness of tannins ... and plenty of ripe fruit plays across the tongue. This one's very approachable and easy drinking now, but will be even better in 2-3 years and a real winner come 5-7. Price: $19.95 - Rating: ****+