WARNING - Biased review. This is our most difficult child. Huge bottle variation on this one and it has to be related to storage at all points in the delivery line. Despite having had the wine tested for Brettanomyces (yeast) it is a problem in some bottles for some drinkers. And that is the problem with Brett and why we tested. All wine has it to some extent, and if the wine gets warm it blooms (it is a yeast). In this bottling it is sporadic and its been difficult to ascertain why. Of course, some people like that barnyard quality, so inevitably, they are the ones with the cleanest bottles. ;-) In any event, this bottle was mostly clean though some it was shared with had some issues. That said, it was also not pristine. Purple in color. The nose is earthy with some band-aid and a hint of barnyard along with plenty of black raspberry fruit,s light gamey meats and white pepper. On the palate, this is much cleaner. Black raspberry fruit layered with black pepper and slight earthiness. Good acidity. Probably safer pairing this with big meat dishes such as cassoulet. Nice finish.
