Black Pearl The Mischief Maker 2014
93% Shiraz, 7% Mourvedre
The deep, inky black, dark purple color leads into a nose that is both spicy and very fruit forward. Aromatic notes of violets, cloves, licorice and a dash of white pepper overlay deep dark fruits of ripe plum and blueberry fruit on the nose. Fuller bodied, there’s a savory cast of spice to the fruit that takes the edge off of the initial sweetness in the mouth, allowing it to come to a dryer conclusion on the finish than one would assume when first trying the wine. New World in style all the way, this is big and bold gushing with spicy black berry and black plum fruit that has just enough tannin structure to keep it focused.
88 pts Vinous/Tanzer
(15% alcohol): Dark red-ruby. Very ripe but slightly peppery dark berry aromas are accented by spices and licorice; suggests a wide range of ripeness. Then a bit sweeter but smoother in the middle than the Oro, conveying a slightly medicinal quality and modest complexity to its dark fruit and spice flavors. Finishes with tongue-dusting tannins and decent acidity but a slight chocolatey warmth as well as a greenness and an emerging tartness.
This would work well on its own but would hold up to something grilled.