2013 Sophia

(13.5% alcohol; 2013 was a great Merlot year, according to winemaker Matt Stafford, who noted that the selection for this bottling is made in October): Bright dark ruby. Deep, slightly medicinal scents of black cherry, black plum and dried herbs. Delivers a lovely blend of density, sweetness and reserve, offering a fine-grained texture and complicating soil tones to the well-delineated flavors of purple fruits and licorice. Finishes with rather noble tannins and sneaky length. The crop level for this bottling is typically between 6 and 8 tons per hectare, according to Stafford. This Bordeaux blend should age gracefully on its intensity and balance. (My second sample showed a much stronger licorice pastille quality on the nose and palate and less early sweetness.)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Sophia Proprietary Red is intensely scented of crushed blackberries and blackcurrants with hints of cloves, cedar and violets plus a touch of pencil shavings. Medium-bodied and laden with muscular fruit, it has a solid backbone of grainy tannins and tons of vivacity in the long, multi-layered finish.

NHB. Black cherry, smooth tannic paste, finely balanced and softly textured. There's a lack of depth and distance on the palate that seems a bit remiss, however. Was this a lighter vintage? (RH)