Dark ruby to the eye, this wine has aromas of black cherry, violet and gunpowder. The palate offers slightly drying tannins and flavors of ripe summer cherry, black currant, salted toffee, fennel pollen and a soft brambly note. The lingering finish is remarkably bright.

The 2017 Special Reserve red is a blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignan and 7% Marselan, aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol. This is lovely, with a sophisticated and refined feel. The only question is how good it is. The texture is pure velvet, with caressing strands on the palate. The tannins are ripe and refined. It adds gorgeous mid-palate finesse. It's a little tight now, but even with its real backbone and serious structure, it will be quite drinkable when released in October 2020. That's not to say it will be at its best-it will likely be far more complex and expressive around the mid-2020s, so the more time you give it, the better it will be-this is very young and unevolved. It will be interesting to see how it evolves, but let's start here in terms of evaluation. The winery says this can age for around 12 years. It should do better than that, but we'll be conservative in the drinking window as well. There were 3,200 six-packs produced.

A generous and sinewy red with a firm structure enveloping the black currant, dark olive and bay leaf flavors that are decked out with anise, graphite and black tea details. Smoke and savory spice notes linger on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Marselan. Kosher. Drink now through 2025. 1,550 cases made, 150 cases imported.