Deep purple-ruby colored wine, completely opaque and quite leggy.

At first opening, the aromatics are all jumbled up - plums, blackberries, new oak, a kind of 'trail mix' note - w/time they all fall into place nicely. Dark fruits, sweet new oak, cocoa, and a mineral note on the palate. Smooth, mid-full bodied, loaded w/fruit (and alc. - 15.5%) though it doesn't show it (until the morning after ). 92 pts., $35 before case discounts, this one should last a while.