title: Blackbird Vineyards 2011 Illustration Red (Napa Valley)
description: Based on Merlot, this Right Bank-style Bordeaux blend has rich, instantly likeable flavors of cherries, currants, cocoa, green olives and violets. New oak plays a prominent role, both in toasty flavors and in wood tannins. The wine feels softly tannic in the mouth, and will be fabulous now with a great steak, but it also will develop over the next 10–12 years.
variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend
designation: Illustration