Les Vignes de l'Arque Confidentiel 2019 Duché d'Uzès

A brand new flagship wine from this excellent estate, the Grenache is aged for 12 months in barrel, and the Syrah for 18 months. The colour is a bright, medium-to-deep(ish) raspberry red, fading gently to a pale, slightly bricking rim. A lovely colour - and an equally lovely nose! Masses of red and black fruit aromas greet the nose, from raspberry and cassis, through to bramble and soused red cherry, with futher notes of damp earth, exotic spices, wood smoke and very classy (but very subtle) toasty oak. The palate is equally intoxicating, with all of those fruit and tertiary qualities coming through, with further peppery-spicy, earthy and gently herby notes. The texture is velvety yet focused, with melting tannins, ample acidity and a very long, gently warming finish. A superb wine, which bears comparison with some of the region's finest offerings, which is already good to drink, but will also age nicely for another 5 to 10 years.