Score: 91/100
This old vines (vieilles vignes in French) Pic Sint Loup wine is the flagship of Chateau de Lancyre estate.
It is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, sourced from 30-year-old vineyards around the town of Valflaunès, an area that separates the Orthus ridge from the village. The red soils here were used by the locals to manufacture tiles for the surrounding construction, proof of the high percentage of clay.
Tasting Notes
With a dark and dense red color, including purple hues to the rim, this Pic Saint Loup wine boasts powerful aromas of zesty wood berries, together with Provencal herbs such as thyme and sage. Plenty of spicy white pepper as well gives the profile a lifted edge. Clearly a bi-facetted nose between vibrant and warm red fruits, and a wealth of savory herbal characters.
It does deliver plenty of personality on the smell!
The palate is just as characterful. Juicy cherry and acidic raspberry flavors are underlined by the wine’s zesty acidity. At the same time, a chili-like spiciness seems to warm up your palate helped in that with noticeable alcohol.
Tannins are dense and a little grippy to the finish, let’s not forget that we are here with a baby of a wine.
When to Drink?
Give it a couple of years to round up and soften up, and develop further depth. From there, given the acidity and concentration, it should age harmoniously and grow in complexity over time for a solid 10 years at least.
Drink between 2019 and 2025.
Overall
Powerful and concentrated flavors make of this wine a burst of sweet/savory sensations. Extremely spicy, it is dry but with an opulent body.
A wine with so much personality, a unique juicy herbal/fruity character that will make it an ideal pair with grilled meats and other tasty meat dishes or cheeses.
Enjoy 🙂
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