A red blend using four-fifths of the allowed Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Franc (35%), Cabernet Sauvignon (26%), Petit Verdot (25%), and Merlot (14%) aged 10 months in French oak with 20% new – the only “manipulation” of the grapes is 25% of the Petit Verdot was dried to 25 brix (up from 22) … the resulting wine has a wonderful chocolate and black cherry nose that repeats on the palate adding hints of smoke and white pepper by the time it is finished. Speaking of the finish, it develops tobacco and cocoa-esque flavours with a lush mouthfeel, good tannins and balanced oak.
Price: $22.00 – Rating: ****+