Praetorian

A year of prominent acidity, 2018 provides this Tempranillo based blend with an added brightness amid it's usual spice box and pantry of complex aromas, flavors, and textures. The combination of Tempranillo, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel provide a space for sweet and earthy notes to intermingle as well as an intriguing diversity of drying, smooth, and broad textures. Tart raspberry and candied strawberry explode from the glass immediately, with notes of candied walnuts, thyme, and vanillan providing an earthy yet sweet backtone. Complexity is driven by an overarching tone of cherry liquer and cherrywood that is backed up by syrupy blueberry. The entry is soft, yet bright, with acidic flavors of pomegranate juice and plumb skins while the rest of the palate evolves into thick and broadly layered tannins laced with sweet fig, a cigar box smokiness, and proscuitto savoriness. The wine follows through with a lentil spiciness, carried by a coarse tannin structure that persists for a long finish.