Score: 94/100
The Epsilon Cuvée by Roussillon winery Domaine Vaquer is made from 100% Syrah grapes, and aged in oak wine barrel. About 1500 bottles of this 2014 vintage were produced.
Tasting Notes
This Roussillon Syrah comes in a very dark and dense red color, virtually black to the core, an intense dark red to the rim with purples hues making look obviously youthful.
The nose is of a striking and surprising intensity. More than its intensity, it’s actually the nature of ths Syrah’s aromatic profile that is literally outstanding.
There is such an intense, bright, and vibrant violet flower smell dominating the nose, unique at this level of intensity. But don’t do thinking that’s all there is.
The overall feeling to the nose is incredibly deep and complex. So complex in fact, I’m tempted to say you could name any aroma found in red wine, it would be in this one. But there probably not all in. Still, let’s name a few clearly identifiable in this stunningly layered nose.
Together with the violet, are plenty of dark cherry liqueur notes making the whole smell clearly generously fruity. Some blueberry and ripe blackberry, join forces with orange peels to complete the fruit characters.
For the powerful spicy side of things, add some black and green pepper, cardamom, clove and nutmeg, all clearly and neatly defined with a poignant purity to the nose.
Then are the perfectly well-integrated oaky notes, touches of vanilla and sweet caramel, some coffee liqueur, toasted hazelnut.
Anyway, you’ve got the point. Deep, layered and enchanting to smell at. You could smell for many minutes and still identify new aromas.
As for the palate, well, it doesn’t disappoint from there…
It appears very soft like velvet with good acidity underlining the pungent fresh ripe red berry flavors and pungent spices. Still, although this is clearly a dry wine, there is a sense of generosity and hints of sweet flavors from the dark cherry and blackberry jam tastes. The smoky caramel and delicate vanilla tones amplify this sensation of subtle perceived sweetness.
The finish is very long and opulent, filled with bursts of sweet and peppery spices. A salty mineral feel makes you salivate with greediness as you end the tasting, and want to dig in again and make sure all the goodness stuffed here wasn’t just a dream…
Overall
Put simply… this is a stunning Syrah wine with an absolutely unique expression. At least I, have rarely come across so much balanced and layered goodness packed into a single bottle of wine as I have in this Epsilon.
Somewhat generous and ripe like a super-fine Australia Shiraz. It is also savory, salty, mineral and pungently spicy, fresh-berry-*scented like a Northern Rhone Syrah. Floral too like a Cote Rotie somehow. An all-in-one Syrah then.
The most striking, all these aromas and flavors dance with each other, and ballet with your sense with harmony and balance, generating and light-hearted yet sophisticated greediness for more.
A wine to experience…
Enjoy 🙂
For another Stunningly Delicious Roussillon Syrah, check out Consolation’s Wild Board Syrah:
2015 Consolation Wild Boar – Le Sanglier Syrah Côtes Catalanes IGP, Roussillon, France
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