2014 Red Mare La Vaquera Red, Napa Valley

The 2014 La Vaquera is an invitation to celebrate what we can do in California with big berried varietals. From start to finish this wine is a study of dark inky purple and deep ripe fruit. Inviting brambly aromas of ripe blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice and cracked pepper give way to ripe, jammy black fruit compote and a richly layered and textured palate with heft and volume. Once in the mouth, the mid-palate is punctuated by fine talc and opens nicely to a counterpoint of delicate powdery florals lifting ripe black plum, vanilla and white tobacco to a pepper and creamy espresso laced finish. This is an energetic, flavorful and robust wine.