Domaine Saint Sylvestre Rouge 2014 Terrasses du Larzac

A clear, bright, translucent cherry/blood red colour. The nose is massively complex, intoxicating and suggestive of a very fine wine, offering an initial whiff of freshly-baked bread, followed by aromas of black cherry, bramble, curry spices, coffee grounds, sous bois and fine eau de vie. The palate is all about restrained power - quite rich and ripe and laden with peppery-spicy red and black fruit flavours and grippy but ripe tannins. But all of this richness is balanced by an abundance of orange peel/cherry kernel acidity and tangy, saline minerality, with myriad secondary notes of forest floor, a certain herby/meaty savouriness and a long, lingering, spicy/minty finish. All-in-all, this is the finest vintage yet of Saint Sylvestre's red - and whilst lovely to drink now (and even better after a day or two in the decanter), it will age and evolve for a further 5-10 years. A fabulous wine.