Ferrari-Carano Prevail Back Forty 2013

Intensely rich aromas and flavors like dark jammy currants, brown sugar, leather, cassis, cola, vanilla, cedar and spice. Full-bodied with a long, rich finish and smooth, mouth-coating tannins.

French clone 337 was selected specifically for Back Forty because of its small berry size and rich tannins. The grapes for Back Forty are hand harvested, and upon entering the winery, gravity fed directly into oak tanks for four days of cold soaking, then fermented and macerated for 24 - 28 days on the skins. After primary fermentation, the wine is drained and pressed to barrels for malolactic fermentation and aged in the wine caves for 24 months, with an additional 14 months aging in bottle prior to release.

This shows a Provençal-garrigue and lavender character. It has a dense ruby/purple color and if I did not know, I would have been convinced that there were some Rhône Ranger varietals blended in, but the wine is pure Cabernet. It is spicy, earthy, rich, peppery and impressive.