Rich and lovely upon 1st appearance, a promise of good things to come. Classic on the nose, with great intensity tied to elegance filled with lots o spice, tapenade and grenache fruitiness. The palate is a bushel of fresh black cherries mixed with a jar of homemade tapenade and herbs de Provence. Long and spicy, particularly on the finish which seems to go on forever. Still plenty of tannin and acidity, perhaps another couple of years in bottle will soften them even more, but this wine is at a great stage now and is ready to drink.