Beaulieu Vineyard Beauzeaux Signet Collection 1997

Dense black-ruby color, nearly opaque. The first inviting scent reveals rich mocha-coffee and vanilla, followed immediately by strong blackberry and black pepper fruit aromas mingled with hints of jam and anise. Full-bodied, powerful fruit flavors and firm tannins suggest this wine could use 3-5 years in the bottle to round out. The rich fruit almost completely envelops the sweet vanilla of the oak, giving the finish a creamy textural finish, stiffened just slightly by some perceptible alcohol and firming acid. Dense, concentrated and balanced, this is a wine to serve with strong chesses and barbecued beef now, given its huge intensity of flavors.