Nose

An endless parade of red and dark fruit emerges as the wine opens with blackberry, strawberry jam, and dried fig in quick succession. These yield quickly to softer notes of cocoa and anise which become more pronounced with time in the glass.

Palate

The acidity and tannins of this wine are an immediate one-two punch but are complemented by undertones of dried plum, allspice, and hazelnut, all wrapped in a finely-knit texture that will need time to open up.

There’s a hint of Earl Grey tea on the finish as the mouthfeel transitions from somewhat coarse and angular to smooth and viscous. The black pepper notes are unmistakable as are
the hints of cedar and cloves.

Growing Conditions

From the outset, 2013 had the makings of a blockbuster year. Little to no spring rain set the vineyards up for early season stress resulting in concentrated fruit with deep, dark color. The vines thrived in the heat of the summer and
ripening progressed slowly and methodically.