Grown in Carneros and blended with about 10% Sangiovese, started with aromas of pepper, a mélange of oak and dill with briary, jammy fruit. Lighter in the mouth, the flavors were dominated by oak. The wine finished with light red fruit and some heat. On the second day, the wine fleshed out and displayed spicy, licorice notes above all. In the mouth, black cherry flavors were most distinct. Medium bodied the wine had good acids and supple, fine, slightly drying tannins. It was an unobtrusive food companion and did not compete with the mushroom pizza or the blackened salmon. (13.7% ABV, 2 bottles tasted, production volume unavailable)
Dark cherries, cola, a touch of cranberries, and some mushrooms are on the palate, all with a background of spice, wood, and a teriyaki-like umami. Tannins are fine and sweet. It does not offer delicacy or flow with multiple layers of complexity, just gives you a whack of sweet fruit right in the face. Drink it with a grilled double-thick stuffed pork chop.
