Allen Meadows - Score: 95-98 (2021 January)

Slightly softer wood frames the even spicier if slightly riper nose that reflects a layered blend of red currant, violet, rose petal, earth and a whisper of exotic tea. The full-bodied if slightly less concentrated flavors also reflect an abundance of minerality on the firm, serious and equally well-balanced, youthfully austere and hugely long finale. I usually prefer one or the other at this stage each year but in 2019, while the two wines are noticeably different, it's not clear which will ultimately be the more interesting. In sum, this is a choice but one where there is no wrong answer!