Allen Meadows - Score: 97 (2022 January)

Subtle wood influence can be found on the equally ripe, airy and gorgeously elegant nose of black cherry, cassis, exotic tea and an almost endless range of spice elements. There is unusually good volume and punch to the lavishly rich, even opulent, medium weight plus flavors that coat the palate with sappy dry extract on the highly energetic and very powerful finish. This is also quite firmly structured and 2019 is relatively big and muscular vintage for the RSV. With that said, I suspect that the hallmark finesse and refinement will eventually reveal themselves with extended time in bottle. I would add that I thought this was marvelous from barrel but it's even better now that it's in bottle.