Alkoomi "Blackbutt" Frankland River (Western Australia) 2002

Deep red.

Toasty (American?) oak, nuts, and spicy black fruit nose.

Densely packed in the mouth, with grainy (added?) tannin quite prominent along with strong acidity. Black fruit flavor is very much in the shadow of this wine's structure. I doubt it will really sing. But time will tell.

Day 4 - Red chili sauce aromatics (actually pretty cool). Red chili flavors too, along with more "acceptable" stuff like earth and herbs. Interestingly, while still structured, this has become much gentler, with nice plushness in the mid-palate. Very distinctive, interesting action. This will go for years. Love to see it again in 5-6 years.

Day 7 - End of the bottle. Now quite seamless on the nose, and sumptuous. Carnitas in low-toned red chili sauce, earth, blackcurrant and a hint of cheese. More traditional in the mouth - toasty oak and black fruit. Slight oxidation in the finish.
I've got to get more of this.

All French oak, according to the back label.

Gift - $40