Light, clear ruby with wide garnet edges.  Massive tar, muddy road and bright cassis dominate the nose on initial, and takes its time breathing out to rich licorice and chocolate.  A nice briar/euc never goes away, just streamlines itself deep into the nose.  Ripe and round, with grainy minerality pulsing through it.  I could not RESIST this thing for 12$ and honestly it is head-and-shoulders above a PLETHORA of 20-30$ BDX I have experimented with over the years.  But that is not a rousing endorsement!  In the mouth, fairly hollow.  Def ME.  Fruit bitter and vapid.  Crisp Granny-smith with just hints ate ripeness.  Slight burn.  This lil thing has a whole lot going for it and holy shit for 12 bucks!  you could easily spend double that on a CA cab and have drain-food.  It is easy to pick apart, but I’m calling it a deal.
♦
2012 Ch Beausejour Les Maurins St Em