Night nine on the cruise and back to Chops Grille tonight. Asked for the Special Selection and was surprised to see it was a 2013 and not a 2014 like last night, always happy to try new vintages!

Dark purplish ruby red. Dark and thick nose with notes of dark cocoa, spices and cassis. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and fuller bodied than the 2014. Not as big of a 'fruit bomb' or as blue as the 2014 but more complex with layers of dark berries, black cherries, spices, oak and sweet spices. Needs a bit more time to reach its full potential. Long finish too.

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Deep purplish ruby red. Black and dark fruits on the nose with some cinnamon. Heavy and super sweet tannins (7/10) with a full body. Rich and dark palate with sweet spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, cassis, black fruits, anise and a touch of gun powder. Definitely a better palate than the nose. Long and lingering finish. Potential to improve further if the nose gets itself together.

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