Inky dark ruby, almost opaque. Black fruit and spicy oak aromas, with an unfortunate dank quality reminiscent of old barrels. Full, juicy fruit flavor and mouth-filling acidity, robust tannins becoming evident in the finish. Cutting Edge Selections Inc., Cincinnati. Good with grilled leg of lamb.
Spicy oak takes the lead in the aroma, with blackberry fruit running a distant second.
Sweet oak is present, but not as dominant, in the full, ripe and juicy flavor, with lemon-squirt acidity and heavy tannins providing a firm structure. Clear, dark cherry red. Simple, juicy red-fruit flavor, a little more palatable than the nose suggests, but the entire experience is very much like chowing down on a haunch of undercooked venison. Both the above served with char-grilled chicken. The Australian wine's not a bad match, although its intense oakiness makes it iffy with any food.