The 2008 Lodovico has developed beautifully. Today, the 2008 is complex, beguiling and wonderfully expressive. The tannins remain formidable though, and will require additional time in bottle to soften. A blast of dark red/black fruit, smoke and incense hits the palate on the explosive finish. The 2008 is just beginning to enter its tertiary phase. Hints of smoke, tobacco, savory herbs and licorice inform the deeply expressive finish. What a gorgeous wine this is.

This 2008 Lodovico is the vintage that holds the record for the most Merlot used in the blend (at about 12%). The other vintages tasted here never go above 8%. You can definitely taste the difference in terms of the wine's soft succulence and thick fruit overlays. The wine's texture is also different in that it is more yielding and accessible. But the 2008 vintage also benefits from tertiary aromas of campfire ash, licorice and balsam herb that add to the overall intensity and complexity of the ensemble. I'd say that this vintage is riding smoothly along its evolutionary course.

(15% alcohol): Deep ruby-red with inky tinges. Sexy aromas of plum, brown spices and chocolatey oak. Sweet and very concentrated, with intense flavors of red cherry, sandalwood, licorice and cocoa powder. There's terrific lift to the ripe fruit in what is a very big wine. Finishes impressively long, with noble tannins and a strong note of chocolate. This is sweeter and fruitier than the Biserno.