Deep red, purple rim. Prune-like and oaky to sniff, smells overripe and verges on dead-fruit. A trace of volatility in the palate, which is robust and dense, chewy and somewhat tannic. Not pinoty, and is at the far extreme from the delicate, ethereal style of pinot. Almost vermouth-like spiciness. Surely higher in alcohol than the other Hillcrest pinots, although they all declare 13.1% . Dry- reddish and tannic, but has plenty of guts.