Thackrey "Orion" Rossi Vyd. St. Helena 2001

Opaque purple.

Deep, sexy, smoky oak, earth, candied blackberry nose. Immediately calls to mind a Pintia bottling, with a high-toned character that also reminds me of Atauta (Toro and Ribera del Duero respectively, both Tempranillo-based)).

Deep and packed in the mouth, with insistent acid-driven flavors of earth, iron, mineral. Blackberry and a hint of eucalyptus bringing up the rear. Acidity is out of whack, structurally, with grainy tannin and a burnt quality in the finish. All of which remind me of certain Shiraz'.

Day 3 - This continues to remind me of RdD/Toro, although there's now a hint of eucalyptus and char in the nose too. Round with a textural sweetness that brings us back to Oz. Acid a bit better integrated, though tannin is still chewy and slightly abrasive. Wild, interesting wine.

$75