The 2012 Strip Room is a blend of kiln dried Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it took 8-14 days to achieve the needed dryness in the grapes to create the wine. What drying does is concentrate the flavors and sugars within the grapes, thus creating highly-concentrated and higher alcohol wines that otherwise might not be possible. This one is listed at 14.3%. Strip Room is one of the more fruit-forward and readily approachable of the Burning Kiln wines with little need to age (unless you want to, and g ahead, it will). Still has the spicy tobacco notes, but they are the backdrop for the red fruit that’s front and center. Price: $24.95 - Rating: ****