Tasted June 14th, 2008 from 375mL bottle.

 

Almost effervescent at first, settles out shortly.  Syrupy, hot, and velvety; yet still, there's a touch of persistent tannin swimming around.  Lots of leather, almost tar, with a bit of blackberry and currant hanging in.  Fruit is totally dwarfed though, and a tawny alcohol taste is emerging.  Dense, black-purple through the majority of the glass, but a trace of bricking is beginning.  Try it if you're dying for a 14.8% wine on sale, I couldn't imagine eating dinner with this one...