Ripe blackberry, cocoa, and mint on the nose. Brambly red fruit palate with a tannic grip finishes with notes of chapparel and licorice. This wine is firm, yet zesty and bright on the palate. Its aromas and flavors of zesty berries and dried earth should pair it well with a spicy and piquant lamb stew. Full in body, supple and on the “meaty” side in texture, the wine possesses obvious tannin that drive it to the muscular side of the varietal spectrum. It has the depth and structure to age well, and its fruit is solid enough to last a half-decade in bottle, but this wine is always going to lean to the sturdy side, even with age.