Deep ruby. Potent, mineral-accented cherry, cassis, vanilla, pipe tobacco and incense qualities on the nose; a subtle smoky overtone builds in the glass. Fleshy dark fruit preserve, cherry-vanilla and floral pastille flavors slowly firm up and become spicier on the back half. Delivers a suave blend of depth and finesse and finishes sweet and impressively long, with well-knit tannins and lingering cherry and tobacco qualities. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 85% of them new.