Full, deep ruby-red. Very sexy, perfumed aromas of black raspberry, violet, mint, spices and tobacco. Broad, dry and suave; at once velvety and light on its feet. Bordeaux-like in its texture and inner-mouth verve. Coats the entire palate with flavor. Finishes very long and sweet, with a flavor of melted chocolate.

This is an amazing operation on the hillsides overlooking the huge Dominus/Napanook estate. A complex set of caves and a remarkable, nearly20surreal chateau grace the property. Winemaker Helen Turley, working with her viticulturalist husband, John Wetlaufer, is fashioning some spectacular wines from these hillsides of volcanic ash and basalt. These are big, structured, potentially long-lived wines that will need some cellar time for those lucky enough to latch onto a few bottles. Everything to date has been aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels for 18-19 months and then bottled unfiltered.