Ontogeny Napa Valley Red Blend

On the nose; baked black plum, dark currants, tarry notes, anise, wood shavings a touch of pepper and perfumed violets & lilacs. On the palate, rich, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, anise, tarry notes, crush rocks, intense dark spice, loads of baking spices, raspberry cola, violets, lilacs, fresh round acidity with a well polish, rich, elegant finish.

I am sipping and digging and at the same time thinking oh heck give this two more years and WHOA but it is still 100 percent drinkable now. There is this marvelous orange peel and clove essence to the nose. The tongue is acidic as heck (someone else said it wasn't but seeing as I have like zero acid receptors and found the back of my mouth watering I say it is) and the tannins...they are stealth. They kick in mid to late palate. Otherwise it is blackberries both stewed and fresh galore. A tinge of purple plum (just checked and hey! There is some merlot so that accounts for that) and then there is the vanilla/tobacco essence of someone's lovingly used humidor. I mean I'm not in the presence of fine cigars on the regular yet a comedian like me dreams of nights puffing away or just drinking away the long-lived stash of wine and/or smokes that call up this depth of vanilla, tobacco, allspice AND flippin' grape goodness. Plus you taste another hint of orange peel. This is simpler than others I've tasted from Bevan (thank you @Paul T ) but it is wine I'd pair with nothing at all OR a dang steak. I think both pairings would hold water. This wine is adaptable and with age will be more so. Okay my tasting notes are more than most put on delectable so maybe i will save a few more thoughts for the dang blog...

The first thing I notice about this wine is the incredible purple color. It's unreal how distinct the color is. The wine has great aromas of blackberry, cassis and a touch of florals. This is big, plush and silky. Dark fruit explodes on the palate with well integrated tannins and nice touches of sweet vanilla from the oak. Low acidity. This is such a great blend pulling from several vineyards and is ready to roll now with a decant or age. Another consistent winner year after year from Bevan.

Deep, rich dark fruit. Medium plus depth. High end wine on the nose. Lovely texture. Long finish.

Oak, blackberry, licorice, menthol on the finish, excellent

Wonderful wine with our prime rib dinner.

Too young to drink...big bold fruit forward cab...needs a few years to hit its high notes or you can wait for a three to four hour decant to taste more of the fruit and nuance that I am sure it has...

In Monte Carlo on Crystal Serenity on the way to Rome. Enjoyed this wine over the last two nights.

Beautiful nose. I would be all over this at $50-60, but at $100, I expect a better finish.

Big and bold. Lots of pepper.