I would title this drinking experience, Dr. Chris Ringland or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Oak Bomb (confused? see here you cinematic landlubber).

I accidentally walked by the Pillar Box while it was aerating in my decanter of choice - a plastic juice pitcher - and almost got woozy just inhaling from 5 feet away. What a giant among wines!

Now I have to say that my first reaction was not great: there's a lot of oak on the nose, and the finish is pure oak with a serious tannin pucker that leaves you walking around the house with your cheeks sucked in like a fish. However, on the palate the Pillar Red is spectacular: like putting every Skittle flavor in your mouth at the sime time while gargling consecutive shots of fruit jam. Just like that, except it tastes great.

I was leaning towards an 88, since the woodchuck aspect was a bit off-putting and you can only keep the juice in your mouth for so long without dribbling onto your bib accidentally. Then I tried pairing this with some soft cheese, and shazam: I learned not to worry and to love the oak. I know that fruit bombs are not seen as food friendly, but with enough oak and tannin they can be. With a slab of brie, the tannins washed out of the finish like a wine stain on your favorite Vayniac wrist-band, and the huge molasses-like juices left over were allowed to frollic around my taste buds without feeling like I was suckin' on a tea bag at the same time.

Big 90 on this one, and word to the wise: pack your stinky cheese.