The number of bottles I don’t want to open is increasing, leaving me with a perception of having nothing to drink. The 2018 Orientate is no exception, and I will not open the other bottle for a long time! Pouring the juice into the glass, it is so pleasantly dark. On the nose, the darkness translates into dark red fruits and slow, subtle silkiness on entry. Mid-palate is intriguing, with a juxtaposition of bright red fruit trying to shine through the darkness with bursting waves of brightness intertwined with a bit of spice. The finish is something else! The only words I have are crazy silky smooth and subtle. Typically, a finish tapers off. For me, the finish built up over 10+ seconds. If you aren’t paying attention, you will miss it!