Opened with a dinner of roast chicken, with Kenyan kale and cole slaw.
nose: initially, quite reticent, to the extent that I worried that it might be slightly corked; after aeration, the wine showed some cedar notes and dusty cherry; with further aeration, it took on more tarry notes and the cherries became more kirsch-like
palate: initially, a bit thin and acidic, with noticeable pencil lead and cassis. I initially told Jean that it could be mistaken for a Cabernet! With time, it became more open, deeper and richer, and the fruit took on a cherry liqueur flavor most reminiscent of CNdP.
I bought several bottles of this on sale several years ago and, in search of an Italian wine to stand up to the acidity of the vegetables, I decided to open one. This wine is still quite young, with barely discernable secondary aromas. No overt oakiness, despite its reputation, and quite a good match with the food. It certainly wouldn't have prompted me to guess "Valpolicella" had I tasted it blind. I probably won't open it up again for another 1-2 years.
Mark Lipton