Clos Marsalette 2017

Tight center palate of dark fruit and hints of dark chocolate. Walnuts, too. Medium to full body and firm and silky tannins. Smart winemaking.

Composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Clos Marsalette has lovely crushed red and black currants with notions of violets, cinnamon stick and garrigue. Medium-bodied, fine-grained and refreshing, it has appealing restraint and a mineral tone to the finish.

Lovely dark plum and cassis flavors are creamy and alluring in this red, while dark tea and iron notes flow underneath. The long finish is quite suave, with a nice mineral note throughout.—J.M.