The black olives and dark fruit come through on the nose with violets and wet earth. Full and very chunky and powerful. Yet it’s lively and vivid with excellent energy. Fantastic. Pure merlot. Leave it until 2030.

Deeply colored, like the hue of black plums, the nose is packed with smoke, truffle, incense, licorice, dark chocolate and kirsch, there is a citrus note in the background that adds more complexity. Intensity and...