Domaine Fortuné Jadis 2016 Languedoc Sommières

A blend of 50% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 12% Mourvedre and 17% Carignan, mostly aged in vat, though the Carignan is aged for 6 months in barrique. The nose is compelling - a classic Languedoc pot-pourri of black fruit and garrigue herb aromas, with myriad notes of raspberry, redcurrant, soft citrus, leather, subtle hints of flowers and polished old wood - not to mention a very definite mineral streak. The palate offers bramble, black/redcurrant, red cherry and damson flavours, with underlying spice and herb notes and once again a streak of wet stone minerality. All of those sweet-sour, fruity-savoury, herby-spicy elements linger long in the mouth and combine seamlessly around a core of lapsang tea-like tannins and mouth-watering soft citrus acidity. This really is such an elegant and complex wine which, for me, captures the essence of all that is so wonderful about Languedoc red wine - one that, at 3 years old (at the time of tasting) is eminently approachable now, but which at the same time has the capacity to age and evolve into something even more compelling and delicious over the next 5 to 10 years. A brilliant and compelling Languedoc classic.