With age comes character.

Bright crimson red with ruby hues.

Intensely fragrant, with a lot of spice, herbs and earth complimenting the fruit that quietly dominates - some mineral notes release. This is clearly red, rather than black, cherry fruit and it’s powerful along with lovely subtle florals, anise and cinnamon scents that drift by.

There is an impressive depth of bouquet here with a lot of secondary character presenting: thyme, oregano, hits of smoked meats and dark rose florals. Layered and most elegant.

A subtle fruit entry builds into spice and complexity in the mouth. Very fine with wonderful interplay between the lacey acid and tannin. The texture and structure is quite latent, building with graphite and spice flavours emerging.  Overall the lasting impression is of elegance and great delicacy with juicy acidity leaving a most satisfying mouth feel.  Very good length of flavour and persistence.

This wine has had no finings and minimal filtration so a fine sediment may form during maturation.  It should cellar well for 4 to 8 years.

Food – A couple of quail and a rabbit, on sticks, roasted over a brazier of vine cuttings using one of those French wind-up rotisserie things, accompanied by wild mushroom risotto - job done.