This deep garnet-colored wine has a bouquet of Luxardo cherry, black plum, lavender and a hint of smoke. Blackberry, raspberry, caramel, aniseed and crumbled sage leaf flavors are cloaked in opulent tannins that slowly peel away to reveal a vivid, fruit-filled finish.

The 2019 Special Reserve red is a blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 12% Petit Sirah, 10% Carignan and the rest Marselan, all aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It comes in at 13.9% alcohol. Of the to-be-released wines in this report, this is the farthest out, not likely to hit the marketplace until February 2023. It has been bottled since May 2021, though, so it should certainly be showing some of its stuff. As expected, it is a bit tight. As it airs out, the tannins increase in power, but they are never too ferocious. You could drink this sooner if it were available, but if it were available, then I'd probably still recommend waiting until next year anyway for better results. So, it's a plus that the winery is aging it for you. The rest is lovely. The texture leans to silk more than velvet. There are red fruits in abundance and a juicy, fresh finish. The freshness here is a big plus. This becomes enlivening rather than ponderous. Overall, this seems right on its normal marks. What it can develop into remains to be seen. It certainly has upside potential. At some point, it will be time for a vertical here, but this won't be ready for such an exercise for a couple of years, at least. This bottling has gone through some style changes in terms of blends, but the newest style, which includes Carignan and Marselan, certainly has several vintages under its belt now. It's a nice success.

Full-bodied and densely packed, this ripe version oozes with sappy black cherry and red currant, while generous singed garrigue, tobacco leaf and olive tapenade roam in the background. Gains shape and length through the vanilla-kissed finish, thanks to tangy acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Sirah, Carignan and Marselan. Drink now through 2030. 2,250 cases made, 150 cases imported.