Well, the bottle was polished off quite nicely. Still rather bemused by the Vin de Table Francais appellation here and website seems to skirt around the issue. The grape varieties seem OK but possible this wine is a Minervois and St Chinian blend which could explain it all?
TN: Naick 3 L`Oustal Blanc, Vin de Table Francais.
Excellent natural cork, 15% alc, cost was excessive…$30 Cdn. Opened an hour but not decanted. Smart packaging but little info on any label.
One website thinks 70% Grenache, 15% Carignan, 15% Syrah.
Claude Finquerie has a CdP background but also owned a property in Ventoux area before settling in Minervois.
Color. A medium ruby-red with violet fades on the rim. Not a big depth of centre.
Nose. Cherry, plum, ripe, pepper. “Makes me think of a GSM blend” from across the table. Not a bad deduction I thought. Still showed some nice complexity on day 2.
Palate. Initial entry thoughts were blackberry, raspberry, soft tannins, low acidity, just a brief hint of some heat. This is the `03 vintage remember.
Thought I perceived some loganberry after an hour or so, plus some prunes and cocoa but no real agreement at the table. Agreed medium-bodied and some herb du Provence. No oak tones as 80% cement vats.
Very expensive for what it is, wonder how this wine would turn out in a better vintage?