Chateau La Dournie Etienne 2016 Saint-Chinian

Youthful in appearance, this wine displays a perfume so typical of this region and grower - a riot of bramble, cassis and blueberry fruit aromas burst from the glass, with notes of parma violets, crushed black pepper, oregano, thyme and just a hint of black olive. The palate is similarly bursting with fruit and savoury (herby, rather than meaty) flavours and possesses an earthy/stoney/slatey minerality, which - combined with fine tannins and wonderfully mouth-watering, tangy acidity - makes for a wine that is, at the same time, fruity, savoury, peppery, tangy and very more-ish. It is also very long, considerably complex and very, very lovely.