Deep red-ruby. Enticing aromas of dark plum, red cherry, graphite and milk chocolate, with hints of tar and potpourri. Then distinctly sweet but not overripe or heavy on the palate, with lush flavors of dark plum, redcurrant jelly, tobacco and coffee complemented but not overwhelmed by sexy vanillin oak. Very powerful, almost brooding wine, finishing with fine-grained but noteworthy tannic bite, spicy tar, balsamic and licorice character. There is a leafy aromatic quality to this wine that is due to the higher than usual Malvasia Nera content (almost 10% of the final blend).