A deep, concentrated ruby color gives a foretaste of its rich aromas, which open up with fragrances of dark berry fruits such as blackberries and blueberries before giving way to woody hints of briers and underbrush, and then gliding slowly into voluptuous wafts of balm and spices, along with fresh minty and warm, toasty notes.

On the palate, this complexity of sensations is anchored by dense tannins, which succeed in creating a taut yet silky texture that fills the mouth. There is a dark, brooding tone to the wine’s hue and flavor, but a certain salinity and acidity give vibrancy to its taste profile, and the delightful persistence of its fruit encourages one to take another mouthful.

Even though it is a wine of considerable structure, it demonstrates unusual versatility when it comes to food pairing, obviously within a range of dishes that is particularly strongly flavored and whose preparation is elaborate and therefore calls for a combination of concentration and agility on the palate.

Red meats, rich poultry and game are its accompaniments of choice, either when prepared “simply” or in more baroque versions due to the cooking techniques or sauces involved. The wide territory of mature cheeses, too, is a field of exploration for this wine, which also supremely enjoys forays into exotic dishes with a corroborating piquant or spicy vein.