A nod to Merlot's having been (unfairly) maligned, "de côté" can roughly be translated as "sideways." This Merlot-based wine features aromas of macerated strawberries, black cherry, plum, licorice, scorched earth, and graphite. On the palate, flavors of plum, framboise liqueur, red & black currant, and cocoa. Firm yet fine-grain tannins create a focused presence that lingers for a full minute. Its structure will allow you to lay this wine down de côté for 10-15 years, but it can be enjoyed now with some decanting.