this wine ticks all the boxes, but just lacks the excitement and drama to take it to the next level. smoke and vanilla notes add interest to the juicy, easy-to-drink cassis fruit. there's ample but not too much weight on the palate. supple tannins. perhaps it just needs additional cellaring time to warrant the price, although it doesn't come across as needing it in the structural sense.
Ashmead Single Vineyard