There’s truth in advertising with this blend of Bordeaux varieties featuring big “freaking” Merlot (41%). Nearly everything about this wine from Tedd Wildman is done on a large scale. The nose brings punches of black licorice, freshly stripped cedar, baked gingersnap cookie, toasted marshmallow, attractive leafiness and a squirt of lime peel. The mouth is big and chewy, yet there’s gobs of fruit to support that structure, leading with black cherries, blackberry with seed, blueberry and Earl Grey tea. Bring on a slab of well-marbled meat, but you may also consider trying it with s’mores.
April 24, 2019: When I bought this wine shortly after its release, I had tasted it and thought it was too young to drin. I was told to cellar it for 10 years. The wait was definitely worth it. The notes above are accurate, although I don’t know about cedar. A delicious wine! I’m going back to Walla Walla in a couple of weeks, and I’ll stop at the winery.