A subtle touch of wood sets off ripe and relatively elegant notes of earth, dark cherry and spice. The mid-palate is dense, serious and powerful with plenty of mouth coating sap that helps to buffer the very firm tannic spine on the moderately austere, backward and built-to-age finale. While this is presently backward it should be approachable after 6 to 8 years of bottle age though note that it should live for a very long time. For readers having a child or grandchild in 2012 this would be a good choice to buy in quantity at a price that won’t break the bank. 2024+