Dark ruby with staining edges.  Considerable sed.  Big opulent candied nose with piles of cassis and licorice and no Euro-funk to speak of, but a multitude of off-smells: burnt fruit, rubber hose and pond-water. Visible oak.  Breathes out fairly well to just disgustingly ripe fruit and alcohol.  This thing HAS to be 14-0.  Label states mostly Merlot with a touch of Malbec.  Weirdest ME I ever smelled–or tasted.  And not really enough bec to justify any of the weirdness which can arise from… well… Malbec.  I love drinking BDX at about this age, but this is not a BDX settling down to a decade of age–this is a huge ripe crowd-pleasing American-style BOMB which actually probably tasted better 5 years ago.  In the mouth, fat, glassy and round with shockingly less fruit than expected.  Tannins hit hard even at entry and crescendo into mid-palate obfuscation.  Thin apple-fruit visible momentarily in the early background and turns into something considerably riper in the finish but barely noticeable under the absolutely OBLITERATING tannin.  I can honestly say I have never tasted Merlot like this.  Find it if you’re brave–it is interesting to say the least, but would really be hesitant to vouch for it when the tannin settles down, if EVER.  14-0   ♦