Tablas Creek, Tannat, Paso Robles 2004

Purple.

Deep plum/prune, savory nut and earth nose.

Unexpectedly plush entry, with deep black fruit going the distance. Tannin increases incrementally through the finish, but does not seriously impede flavor flow. Seems to be slightly volatile, but nothing crazy.

Gift $25? Tannat is the primary grape in the Madiran region of France and the variety that micro-oxygenation was invented for. Think monster tannin.