2012 Stolpman ‘La Croce’ Red Blend

For such a massive wine, the nose gives off a whimsical red berry fruit aroma atop a core of new leather and lush forest floor. As the young, primary wine opens, attractive cocoa appears and the wine becomes more inviting. In the mouth, pulsating red fruit on top of Right Bank earthiness wows the unindoctrinated – this is serious wine. The red fruit seems alive, as if still hanging on the vine. Well integrated with soft tannin bonded to a long fruit finish, and just when the wine seems over, one more intense pop of fruit resurges. Tasting library vintages of La Croce, I note an anise component that I only pick up in top notch Bordeaux-varietal wines. This dark bordelaise character signifies the uniqueness of this co-fermented field blend. 50% Syrah, 50% Sangiovese.