Excellent energy here with pointed tannins, freshness and floral character. Medium-to full-bodied, balanced and back-ended. Vibrant is the word. It shows detail. Drinkable now, but better in 2023.

The 2018 The Maiden is a gorgeous wine. Rich, ample and generous, the Maiden shows just how compelling the vintage is, even among 'second wines,' if that term can even be used at this level. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice and leather fill out the layers effortlessly. It's a gorgeous Maiden that is already so inviting.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 The Maiden soars out of the glass with evocative scents of baked black cherries, warm cassis, and black raspberries with hints of chocolate mint, violets, and licorice with a waft of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate delivers an energetic backbone of bold freshness and tightly wound black fruit layers with a firm frame of grainy tannins and a long, perfumed finish.