Very ripe in tone with dried grape and chocolate notes all over the place, this wine shows its hot weather origins on the palate where early flesh in its mouthfeel turns to soft, fairly open flavors that are bucked up by an odd bit of late-arriving acidity. Drink it up soon, if the wine strikes your fancy.

Medium ruby. High-toned aromas of cassis, blackberry and licorice. Dense and saline, with flavors of crushed dark berries and licorice. Superripe but not porty, with a creamy, old-viney sweetness that carries through on the lingering aftertaste. Great value.