Tasting Notes
Appearance
Deep ruby. Nose: Med+ intensity. Primary: cassis, black plum, rosemary, cedar, blueberry, violet, mulberry, liquorice, capsicum, ground coriander, red currents. Secondary: tobacco, vanilla, mocha, pine forest, cloves, cinnamon stick.
Palate
Dry, full-body, med acidity, med Alc., medium+ intensity, cool, herbal notes on the palate, red fruit persists, savoury notes persist, lots of tension, silky, firm, fine-grained tannin, somewhat coarse but needs time, authoritative, good and lively acidity, excellent length, athletic, focused, cedar, balanced, persistent, meaty, steak tartare, olive brine, graphite slightly reductive, med+ finish, new oak needs time to integrate.
Quality
The wine is excellent and suitable for ageing. Great balance or various fruit clusters, a harmonious acidity, and dense but ripe tannin (slight- ly gravelly and will smooth out with bottle age). The wine has great length, and the fruit is backed with a savoury minerality. Medium+ intensity and medium + concentration, still somewhat contrived and needs time to integrate. It will appeal to a European palate. Well executed.
Conclusion
The wine is more approachable with decanting, and the tension will ease up a bit. Indeed, a sophisticated and chiseled wine albeit somewhat austere. Excited to see how this wine will perform in the long run as it is still tightly wound, and the oak needs integration.