I always know I'm in for a great wine when I put off taking the first sip because I can't stop smelling it. This was one of those. It had a wonderfully decadent aroma with plenty of dark fruit and punchy, peppery spice, all blanketed with a rich leather note.
I tasted it immediately on opening the bottle and it was a touch closed off but it didn't take long (half an hour max) to really come alive without even needing a decanter.
The nose was an accurate predictor of the palate, which revealed a great balance of plums, dark cherries and spice that I could happily have drunk all night. Pretty tannic, but I almost had to remind myself of the fact because the rest of the flavours stood up to them so well. It made a lovely accompaniment to the rack of lamb I had for dinner and can imagine it'd also be great with steak or something like confit duck.
Even better is that this is quite possibly the best price to value ratio I've ever come across in a wine. A bottle cost me £21.58 in a UK Costco (after VAT) and it drank like one worth twice as much.
I drank the bottle the day I bought it and went back the next day to buy several more, which I now can't wait to crack open.
14.5% ABV
by GodlessCommieScum