Super rich baking spices across ripe dark plums in a very suave and attractively styled nose. The palate has incredible depth and succulently seductive, fleshy plum flavors. Wow.

The 2015 Fleur Cardinale is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon matured in 100% new oak barrels for 13 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, it has a nose of fragrant violets, cedar chest and rose hips over a core of chocolate-covered cherries, plum preserves and blueberry pie. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and plush with plenty of layers and great length.

Delicious dark fig and boysenberry confiture flavors run from start to finish here, with a graphite spine embedded along the way. Flashes of anise, tar and singed mesquite add range. Not shy, but has the cut to pull it off.