Dense purple with lighter rim. Concentrated nose, rather spicy, perhaps a hint of reduction. A fair amount of barrel structure which slightly dries the finish, but I expect the fruit to win here. There is a dark fruited succulence too.

Bright dark red. Musky scents of candied raspberry and pomegranate show superb energy along with a liqueur-like ripeness. Silky-sweet and highly concentrated; a bit darker in the mouth than on the nose, offering berry, dark cherry and spicy oak flavors. Can't quite match the young 2016 for class, as this wine gives an impression of faster ripeness. Finishes a bit aggressive but with good mineral energy and medicinal reserve. Bernstein's 2015s are slightly higher in pH than his '16s. (ST)

A completely different aromatic profile is present here with its fresh and cooler dark berry fruit scents that are liberally sprinkled with notes of wild flower and the sauvage. There is better delineation and energy to the more obviously mineral-driven flavors that deliver fine punch on the balanced and youthfully austere finale.