It's a rare treat to have a wine or three that we hold for five plus years and are able to assess many bottles over the time to enjoy and contemplate. Normally the wines are grown, made, bottled and sold out within 15 to 18 months. With Darshan and Block 8 we have had the opportunity to see many bottles of these wines, to understand the vineyards, the seasons, their personalities and to evolve our expectations. It's been a treat. The 2018 season was a little warmer than 2017. The nose is floral, ethereal even, with sweet, wild forest fruits. Added complexity comes from aromas of brown spices, game and a cool red cherry freshness. The palate has lovely texture and weight, is mouth filling and flows on and on. It is also mineral, chalky and expansive. Like the 2017, this is at a lovely stage of development at six years and will continue to drink very well over the next half dozen years and beyond. -MICHAEL DHILLON