(15.1% alcohol; this wine spent more than a month on its skins; aged in French oak, 50% new and 50% once used): Deep, fresh ruby. Highly concentrated scents of cassis, blackberry, black plum, chocolate and minerals; hints at Cabernet tobacco leaf and leather but not in a green or rustic way. Classically dry and impressively dense on the palate, with terrific dark fruit ripeness leavened by notes of menthol, mint and violet. This powerful wine nicely holds its alcohol. Today the wine's big tongue- and tooth-saturating tannins cut off its rich middle palate. Give this big boy a couple more years in the cellar for maximum effect.