PASO ROBLES | CALIFORNIA | $45
Big and intense with concentrated blackberry, prune and fig integrated seamlessly with bay, cardamom and oak. Rich, chalky minerality, chewy tannin structure, and a long, satisfying finish. Heavy mouth feel, full bodied, big 15.8% alcohol, yet very well balanced and easily accessible. A young wine but already complex; a few years in the bottle will polish this already smooth character. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. An excellent wine. (Reviewed 1/3/12)