Sweeter, yummy. Good after dinner with chocolate.

Ruby in color with brick rim and some sediment, this medium-plus bodied red from reliable Spanish importer Eric Solomon is tasty and rustic, if not earth-shatteringly interesting. The nose is enticing with notes of anise seed, white pepper (Northern Rhone-reminiscent), bay leaf, black cherry, a hint of cumin and quite a bit of alcohol heat. As well, a touch of red licorice that usually means American oak to me (they def used it, along with a little French bois, for 9 months). The palate delivers meaty notes alongside a woodsy character and a little more of the pepper we saw on the nose. The tannins are a little chalky on the finish, contributing to the "rustic" quality of this wine, but overall it's pleasant if a little "gnarly." Try it with roast game, fennel-sausage pizza or some hearty tapas.