Domaine Saint Sylvestre Rouge 2018 Languedoc

Although I feel that vintage variations in Languedoc are generally less important than tends to be the case in other wine regions, each vintage of the Domaine Saint Sylvestre red is often quite different to the last. Some years are rich, warming and heady and need time to mellow and evolve, whereas others are - though not exactly shrinking violets - more immediately approachable and somewhat softer. The 2017 that preceded this is markedly robust, full-bodied wine - and ideally needs time - but this 2018 seems to have immediately found its stride. A delightful clear, bright, medium blood red colour, fading to a pale rim. As always it possesses a super-complex nose, but is very much at the red (rather than black) fruit end of the spectrum, offering raspberry, redcurrant and soused cherry aromas, with floral notes and hints of forest floor, old leather and burning incense. The palate too is so fresh, vibrant and and crammed full of sweet-sour red fruit flavours. And even at 14.5% abv, it is so supremely balanced and elegant, with a backbone of very fine tannins and utterly mouth-watering acidity. There's a touch of earthy minerality, the merest hint of herby/spicy savouriness and a long, cool, minty, sour cherry finish that lasts for an age. This really is a wonderful example of cool-climate Languedoc red wine - think "Burgundian" in style and texture, but with a touch of southern warmth for good measure. We have been importing from Domaine Saint Sylvestre from their first vintage (2011) and this, in our opinion, one of the best and most elegant vintages so far. A very fine wine indeed.