Deep ruby-red colored, with slight staining, and a high viscosity (13.7% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, licorice, coffee, mint, blackberry coulis, black raspberry, chocolate, and acai berry.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium tannins that are chalky.  Medium intensity flavors echo the nose but there’s also a black tea note.  The finish is medium in length and fruity.   I like this wine, the tannins quickly turn powdery and the balance is en pointe.  It’s not as intense as I was hoping for to pair it with Tri-tip, but it’s very delicious and worthy of 90 points.  At $32, it gets 3 stars.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

Deep purple colored, with moderate staining, and a medium viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of black plum, brambleberry, mint, eucalyptus, charred oak, coffee, iron, and grape licorice.  The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium (-) tannins that are pretty astringent.  Medium (+) intensity flavors mirror the nose with a silky mouthfeel.  The bitterness of the tannins hits on the finish, which is medium in length, somewhat detracting from an otherwise delicious and easygoing wine.  89 points from me for this $15 effort gets it 4 stars.  Drink till 2028 with game, duck or even roast chicken.  Salut….

Deep purple colored with slight staining and a medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe black plum, black cherry, cassis, vanilla, acai berry and cedar plank.  The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, medium body, and medium tannins that caress.  Flavor intensity is medium and has the plum, cherry, vanilla and acai I got on the nose.  It’s more oak driven than the nose with smoke and coffee also present.  The finish is surprisingly long and mouthwatering.  The acidity must have just caught up to the party!  It’s a soft wine, like I would expect from this varietal but the Bourbon barrel aging gives it a bit of oak drive and the vanilla is on point.  I don’t like over-oaked wines, this one is en pointe.  I’m really enjoying this 91 point that ran me $11- for sure a 5 star effort to enjoy in the near term.  Salut….