(2023) From the IGT of Côtes du Brian in the Languedoc, this wine comes from a vineyard of over 100-year-old Carignan vines. Watch out for the hefty 15% abv of this unoaked and powerful southern red, where its vivid spice, cherry and black plum compote fruit soars from the glass in serious blockbuster style. The fruit, natural concentration and extract of the wine coats the palate in a glossy layer of substance, super sweet and rich, a wine of considerable heft, but then the acidity is keen and the tannins add a drying, chewy edge to the picture too. Hugely impressive in its singular style, though maybe not for everyone? Note price and stockist quoted at time of review is for the previous vintage.
(2016) Creamy and dense, with delicious black fruit and graphite, cedar and a lovely meaty density. Beautifully sweet fruit, a fruitcakey density and lovely tannin structure. Really a delicious Merlot, with great richness and weight.
