A solid well balanced California Bordeaux style wine

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, dark cherry, eucalyptus, blackcurrant, licorice, anise, cassis, plums, cocoa, dates, leather, arugula and tobacco leaf. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: I confess I bought the wine because I liked the sophisticated label. Looked expensive and at $24.95, I figured why not. Yes, the store had confused the lesser Clos Du Bois Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that was priced at $24.95 with the Marlstone. Their loss my gain. Decanting for 30 min will smooth the wine out.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with Bison.

Tasted: 22 July 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4