Domaine Combe Blanche La Chandeliere 2016 La Livinière

A blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache, grown high up in the sun-drenched hills above the village of the same name, and aged for 18 months in old oak barrels. Whilst the label displays its 15% abv with pride, the wine in the bottle is beautifully balanced and - dare I say it - almost elegant. The nose is complex and expressive, offering dense aromas of black fruits, leather, mint, garrigue herbs and a hint of forest floor. Rich and beautifully ripe in the mouth, the combination of spiced bramble and plum flavours with those oh-so-fine tannins, ample acidity, a gentle herbiness and just a hint of warming eau de vie is a joy to behold, with a lingering, gently peppery-spicy finish. And despite its sheer drinkability in its youth, I have no hesitation (based on previous vintages going back to the mid-1990's) that this will age and evolve for a good 10 to 15 years or more. Drink it now or stick it in the cellar for a decade - the choice is yours!