With Hart, James, Zi, Shaun and Maegan at James’.

In the glass: dark deep inky with purple tone. Mid+ body.

On the nose: intense aroma fresh off the bottle of blackcurrant, oak, and cedar. In very good balance. Not quite wide open, but blooming. The wine has a leanness to it that’s uncharacteristic of one that has so much merlot (i think >75%) in the blend.

On the palate: bone dry. HIGH alcohol. Mid+ body. Very palatable tannins that’s distinct but not at all jarring. Powdery at the end. Mid finish.
On the exhale: very aromatic.

As the wine breathed, the cedar notes crept forward. But the wine was still very balanced overall.

This wine was very, very good. And for the price? Just damn good. The only flaw is the jarring alcohol. Pity.