We’ve opened several bottles of this over the last year or two. This wine, from Rostaing’s Coteaux du Languedoc properties, never fails to please.
Composed of 80% syrah, the balance grenache and mourvedre, the wine is clear and garnet in the glass. When we opened it last night, the initial nose was wild and stinky - but in a very good way. Second night and it’s a more tamed-down combination of leather, earth, and dark fruits. On the palate, it’s almost pinot-like in its silkiness. More plummy berry flavors in the front, but lively rather than ponderous. Medium finish with fine tannins complementing nice mushroomy funk and slippery fruitiness.
Even though this is from the blistering 2003 vintage, it’s not goopy or heavy. It’s substantial, but balanced with enough acidity to classify as a medium-bodied drink, suitable for lighter meats and pasta dishes. Best with food, I think, but with enough interest to satisfy all by itself.