From Friesen Vineyard in Brownfield, Texas, in the Texas High Plains—owned by Ron Yates—this wine was fermented in one-ton fermenters and aged in French oak, roughly 40% new, with tight-grain barrels to help manage tannins. The wine is bright and expressive, showing ripe dark berry and blue fruit with violet nuances and warm baking spice tones that build across the medium-bodied palate. Supple, ripe tannins and subtle cocoa powder notes carry through to the lengthy finish. Nicely balanced and well-structured, and if this is the direction Signor is headed under winemaker Michael Barton, it’s definitely one to watch.