Nice dark, dark magenta shade.  Detergenty, woody aroma, like an up
north fishing cabin where the kitchen was just cleaned, or in a hot
desert location in a log house with an old reclaimed ship’s wood
ceiling, unfinished log walls, old liquor-stained barnwood
floorboards, and a grandma washing dishes in a giant stone carved sink
overflowing with suds.  First sip is much like the aroma, but much
bolder and fuller.  Soap.  Bitter in the back of the mouth as if
having just eaten some mildly bitter wild berries.  I’m not so sure
this is a “me” wine but mid-way through the glass, it is starting to
reveal more character to me:  Freshly conditioned leather horse
saddles, upholstered horse-drawn carriages, Victorian and Edwardian
libraries, parlor rooms, and antique-cluttered social gathering
spaces.  Surely better decanted (was not done today).  Maybe better
tomorrow, we’ll see.  The first food accompaniment that comes to mind
is a thick wild-caught grilled burger, or a blackened black bean
burger if vegetarian – something plump and meaty, hot of the
grill/grlddle/skillet/etc. with a bit of juiciness.

Bottle opened, wine sampled, & review written: 2013 February 23rd