Domaine d'Archimbaud l'Enfant Terrible 2018 Terrasses du Larzac

They say that Mourvedre needs to be within spitting distance of the sea to show its best - but this is grown high up near the Terrasses du Larzac, 30-40 km from the Mediterranean. The colour is a bright, youthful, quite deep ruby red with a wide rim. The nose shows a really quite complex array of tar, woodsmoke, leather, herbs and spices, but is at the same time fruit-filled, with bags of dark bramble, plum, black cherry, countered by a red fruit freshness, redolent of crushed raspberries. The palate is spicy, herby and gently tarry, with beautifully soft, ripe tannins and bracing acidity. It is gently rich and warming, but delightfully fresh and elegant, with a long, sweet and sour finish. It is even better on day 2, developing more of those herby and spicy notes, with hints of flowers, earth and red meats. Another delicious and very age-worthy wine, from one of our very favourite Languedoc growers.