The 2018 Emma's Reserve has a similarly deep garnet appearance. On the nose, it is now further open, showing some attractive developed notes of leather, mushroom and a hint of black tea—but not yet earthy or very tertiary—wrapped up in a ripe core of dark, leafy cassis and black plum fruit with distinct new oak. However, the oak is now melding more together with the primary and tertiary notes. On the palate, the 2018 is also now more approachable with a mellowing but still robust structure of coating, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and well-integrated 14% alcohol, which is knit well together with the core of fruit, savory new oak and developing flavors here. Undeniably long in length, it's good to see some consistency from bottle to bottle. RP