Aromas of cherries, blackberries and licorice introduce the 2022 Lynsolence, a medium to full-bodied, rich and extracted wine that's less exaggerated than was the case in previous vintages, while remaining faithful to its muscular, overtly modern aesthetic.

Oaky and aggressively extracted, the firm, compact and chewy 2021 Lynsolence illustrates the dangers of this sort of winemaking in an unforgiving vintage.

The 2020 Lynsolence is 100% Merlot, aging for 18 months in French oak barriques, 100% new. Deep purple-black in color, it charges out of the glass with energetic scents of fresh blackberries, crushed black cherries and ripe, juicy black plums, plus nuances of cedar chest, lilacs and licorice with a touch of dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with taut black fruits, framed by firm, finely grained tannins and fantastic tension, finishing long and layered. The alcohol is 14.5% this year.

From Merlot growing on gravel soils, the 2019 Lynsolence is a rich, dramatic wine bursting with aromas of jammy black fruit, burning embers and spices. Full-bodied, rich and muscular, it's ripe and extracted. While it's a creditable effort in this style, less would be more.

Made from 100% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Lynsolence gives up bold notions of baked plums, black raspberries and Black Forest cake with hints of smoked meats, dried herbs and forest floor. Full-bodied and densely packed with layer upon layer of black and blue fruits, it has a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and a long, earthy finish.