A blend of Baco Noir, Chambourcin, and Cab Franc, in undisclosed proportions. Compressed-particle natural-cork closure. 12.5% alc./vol. Deep garnet-ruby colour, with a dark ruby core. Translucent rather than inky. Baco's bright cherry / peppercorn / roasted meat hints provide the first aromatic impressions on the nose; cherry-candy replays on the nose hint of Chambourcin. Zippy acidity on the entry, with Baco's typical acid attack and initial aromatic relay; bracing tartness at the front of the tongue, balanced by what seems to me like considerable sweetness. I am trying to pick out Cab Franc's contributions to the blend, but all I'm really getting is Baco here. The other components aren't making much of a splash - at least not in this iteration of the blend.
This really should be decanted for a good hour or more before being sampled as it is closed upon first being opened, and tastes rather sweet-tart, with little definition. Decanting, however, always helps the bouquet to develop. I often wonder whether wineries do enough to educate consumers on this fact.
A decent buy at just a shade over ten bucks. I did prefer the 2008 version, which showed more roasted-meat aromas on the nose; the 2009 is relatively simple by comparison.