Fess Parker The Big Easy 2016

The 2016 The Big Easy is fabulous. Rich, powerful and flamboyant to its core the Big Easy hits the palate with tremendous fruit intensity. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry jam, white chocolate, vanillin and new American oak shape this opulent Syrah/Petite Sirah/Grenache blend. Winemaker Blair Fox has dialed in a style that captures all the exuberance of past editions, but with more nuance than the Big Easy has ever shown. And I say that as someone who has never loved this wine. The 2016 is simply outrageously delicious.

Dark and brooding aromas of peppercorn-crusted beef steak, teriyaki, blueberry and wood smoke make for a savory entry to this bottling. Intense blueberry, charred meat and cherry-wood flavors show on the palate, which is framed by firm mouthcoating tannins. It's a great barbecue wine.