Thesis: “Burly” as in, “Who gave you the black eye?”

The Cliff Notes: The color is dense red and blue velvet. The wine smells of black currant, raspberry and smoked game. Big, but balanced, it’s an explosion of dark cherry and licorice pushing outward as it fills your mouth to capacity. Good acidity and a grill-coating quality to the tannin allow it to linger.

The Name: Provocateur is French for troublemaker, though the leaning here is decidedly more Pied Piper than antagonist.

The Story: I confess to trying to stack the deck in this world. I keep looking to surround myself with standup people who do the right thing, simply because it’s the right thing. Why? Will it make a better wine? Probably. Or maybe it will only bolster my own ability to walk upright.

Cases Produced: 575 cases

The Building of: 100% barrel aged for 16 months in French oak, 14% one year/9% two year/77% three year or older. Racked and bottled, unfined and unfiltered, in February of 2008.

Ageability: Drink now to five years and think about getting it some air in the first three.

Alcohol: 13.5%

pH: 3.60

Vineyards: A blend of four vineyards, Shea (9 years), Gemini (15 years), Momtazi (8 years) and Eola Hills (8 years).