With the Claret you get more complexity, more fruit, more texture-a little bit more of everything-than you might expect from a wine at this price point. It's a gently oaked, medium-full bodied wine with great texture and a long, graceful finish. The flavor profile is classic, approachable, and incredibly consistent year after year. Expect to taste plenty of ripe fruit-plum, currant, blackberry, strawberry-with hints of vanilla, clove and tobacco. This wine is designed to be drinkable, now and well into its teenage years. PAIRINGS: Big fruit balanced with great tannins and acidity make the Claret is a wonderful and versatile food wine. It pairs well with steak, lamb and gamier meats like venison. It loves a pasta, a shepherd's pie or a hearty stew. It's a great compliment to chicken, duck, and even rich fish like salmon or tuna. It's great for a group that includes aficionados and novice wine drinkers, or a dinner party with friends who you don't need to impress but want to anyway. It's the perfect thing to reach for on a Friday night out or on a Tuesday, when you really just feel like crackers and good cheese for dinner and a little dark chocolate for dessert.