Description

The nose shows mulberry, dark plums, blackberry and intense whiffs of liquorice and violets. The entry is savoury and earthy with the dark berry fruit of the nose following through with notes of black cardamom, sweet tobacco and cloves. The mid-palate is full-bodied, yet elegant and lithe, with grainy tannins providing good structure and integrated acidity creating exceptional balance. Flavours of cured meat, white pepper and black olives lend classic complexity. Hints of tar, aniseed and espresso linger on a fine, silky finish.

"Deep garnet. Openly floral and peppery, intensely aromatic, you might even call it 'pretty' except that there is also a suggestion of Syrah's savoury character, and lots of non-sweet black fruit at the core. On the palate, there's a touch of oak sweetness but it is mostly clean-edged and aromatic fruit, the tannins remarkably smooth already and elegantly fine-grained. Pure and deliciously dry on the long finish. Medium-bodied and really elegant. Drink to 2031."
17 points. Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com (April 2024)