Inky ruby. Smoky cherry, blackberry and vanilla on the nose, with a hint of cracked pepper in the background. Smooth and open-knit, offering broad dark fruit flavors and a good wallop of oak spices. The peppery quality comes back on the finish, adding a palate-numbing nuance and sharpening the wine's plush black and blue fruit character. I wonder if a little bottle age will tame the oak here.