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

I. FINALLY. GET. IT. NOW. WOW.

Ok so I’ve had the same wine a couple of times now. Each time without much aeration. The wine was heavy and dense on the nose; you could get hints of the balance and complexity, but it doesn’t really quite appear.

This time we decanted this in a wide based decanter for 2 years. I get it now.

In the glass: again, inky dark ruby / purple.

On the nose: oh. OHHH. This was not the dense oak vanilla I remember so distinctly. That dense richness has balanced out into this leaner, intense dark fruit, with a savory notes of blood and iron. Delicate black pepper and oak. Wow.

On the palate: mid+ acidity (yum), grippy tannins that can benefit from a few more years of bottle aging.

As the wine continued to breathe, there were notes of eucalyptus. A smokiness started to build up.

This was balance, complexity and elegance. I finally finally get it now.