My notes for this wine date back to my birthday in December when I attended a wine and food pairing, why I’ve waited so long to publish this I’m not quite sure, maybe because I’m not worried about the age-ability of this wine, because they’ll easily go 5+ years. A nose of black pepper, blackberry and black raspberry followed on the palate by some real peppery, spicy blackberry, cassis and blueberry skin. Drinks more like a Syrah than a Merlot with all that spice and pepper … follows on the finish with a tannin punch and a little dusting of cocoa powder. Give this a few years to mellow. Price: $ 40.00 – Rating: ****+