Score: 90/100
This Provence red is a blend of Syrah at 85%, Grenache 10%, and 5% of Cabernet-Sauvignon sourced from vines averaging 35 years of age lying down in the valley by the famous Sainte-Victoire mountain range, a spectacular landscape (see it in the twitter video below).
Time to Pick those Grapes ? and Make Rosé #Wine ?…
Stunning, Welcoming, & in Full-Swing Harvest #Provence ☀️??? #winelover #travel pic.twitter.com/TsGiDXrZBU— Julien Miquel #Wine (@JMiquelWine) September 12, 2017
The soil here is made of clay-limestone from ancient gravelly alluvial deposits, vestiges of a huge alluvial cone from the streams descending Mont Sainte Victoire (1,010 metres) and bordered to the south by Mont Olympe and Mont Aurélien.
Tasting Notes
This Provence red comes in a pretty intense and dark red color. Certainly, dark to the core, you can just see through. Dark red still (looking youthful), with hints of purple to the rim.
The nose is mainly fruity, although also savory with intense black olive notes.
Ripe blackberry, dark cherry, touches of strawberry jam dominate the aromatic profile. The intense fruit is nicely backed up and lifted up by sweet spices, clove and nutmeg, and delicate lemony pepper scents. Perhaps it’s just the idea of tasting a Provence wine that made me think of that, but I caught plenty of tapenade (black olive paste, usually served on toast, a specialty dish typical of French Provence) to the nose.
The palate is round and very soft, velvety tannins are well married to a round oily body. The acidity is medium, as well and the tannic density, but the whole tastes balanced and generous. Big bursts of rich dark berry favors, are reinforced by punchy black pepper notes. It’s spicy and pungent to taste, somewhat chili-like a sensation it delivers, on top of the clearly dominant fruit flavors.
Mid-length finish, with soft, creamy and sweet-feeling spices with hints of oaky vanilla and caramel.
Overall
A punchy and pleasant Provence red, featuring plenty of mellowed fruit flavors and sweet spices. Pungent and generous, it is very smooth and soft, round and with a velvety texture providing a big punch of generous red berry and peppery spice to the palate.
Enjoy 🙂
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