While one of the samples I received of the 2017 Hieronymus was corked, the 2018 Hieronymus came with a screw cap (Yay!). A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, it spent 22 months in 70% new French oak, resulting in a wine that combines fresh, floral fragrances with scents of cedar and vanilla. Hickory smoke, licorice and cassis round out the picture. It's medium to full-bodied, richly concentrated and velvety in feel, with a lingering, opulent finish, layers of plush tannins and hints of mocha. What a difference a year can make!

The top offering from Elephant Hill is the 2014 Hieronymus, a blend of Merlot (46%), Malbec (44%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), mainly from the Bridge Pa Triangle. Aged in two-thirds new French oak, it does show some cedar and vanilla overtones, but they're well supported by cassis and blackberry fruit. The mid-palate of this full-bodied blend is creamy and lush, turning to crushed velvet on the long, intense finish. Give it 2 years in the cellar, and drink it over the next decade.