Niner Wine Estates, Paso Robles (California) Carmenere 2017

 Here’s a decadent delight!  40% new French oak, with about 15% of that made with a very slow heavy charring technique, allows the savory, meaty character of the grape to run alongside more of a roasted, colored bell pepper idea than the bright green notes you might expect.  A plush midpalate, supple tannins and a long, dark finish round things out.  Niner has six of the sixty acres planted in California, and they’re making a statement with this wine — a great statement at that!