Deep ruby color, darker than expected. The aromas are intense and slightly aggressive, with black plummy fruit and pronounced earthy and herbal notes. The palate is robust, very satisfying on a cold winter evening, with red and black plums and hints of black raspberry along with touches of tomato, bacon and oregano… a pluperfect panoply of classic Mediterranean French garrigue. There are a boatload of tannins, far from fully resolved, but not really out of place in such an outspoken bottle. Label says 14.5%… I’m guessing that’s low by ½ to 1%.
Rated 90.5. This is at the end of adolescence, not sure it will grow more graceful with age. If I owned a case, I’d start popping corks and monitor. Could improve by a point or so over the next 5 years, but I’m not sure.
Dan Kravitz