Semitransparent ruby fading to orangey red at edge. Initial nose of big oak and red fruit especially red raspberry. Initial taste is somewhat oaky, tannic, and acidic with nice but underlying red fruit and a medium long finish that seems to clamp down. A bit too oaky and too much of a tannic edge for my tastes on initial taste. It seems tight.
2 hours after opening the character of this wine has changed dramatically. The nose is now much more fruity, with definite oak, but not so dominant. The heavy oak has blown off. Really smooth tannins on the mid-palate with red fruit and a gorgeous medium long smooth finish of fruit and acid at the end. This wine definitely needed to open up and breathe to reach its potential.
Food match: Roast beef au jus. Great match with au jus dipped roast beef sandwich on a toasted bun with melted colby and monterey jack cheese. The roast beef had about 3/4 cup of this wine added to it about 1 hour before it was done. Herbs de provence, salt and pepper added to the au jus just before serving.
Good
weekend wine and dinner.