This is quite the impressive wine. From the hot 2010 vintage comes the “reserve” wine that’s the step up from the Foreign Affair ‘Dream’. Still a Merlot dominated wine (69%) with Cabernet Franc (19%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%) and Petit Verdot used for seasoning. This is a best barrel, longer in oak selection (16-20 months) … and a little higher concentration of dried fruit (40%). The nose seduces with black cherry, cinnamon, cassis and mocha … while the palate is what truly tempts with its rich mouth feel and black cherry-mocha notes. There’s a lovely sweet fruited entry that keeps all the way to the finish, which adds mineral-chalkiness to the lengthy ending ... but it’s the long lovely linger that’s the real temptress here and makes it such a beauty sip after sip after sip. Price: $44.95 – Rating: ****+