Deep ruby colour, transparent rim. The nose has pleasantly high-toned dark berry fruits at first – mainly blackberries, with a lightly creamed character occasionally reminding me of black/blueberry yoghurt (in a good way!) These develop a fuller, more brooding character and a meaty/gamey aspect with time. Skilfully integrated oak with pleasant herbaceousness now and again – blackcurrant leaf, very faint mint or salvia.
It fills the mouth with very fine, lingering tannins and a mouthwatering acidity that makes it quite addictive. Medium + bodied, with real Cabernet Franc character on the palate, bright black cherries, berry pips, some meatiness, pretty good but gentle length, some alcoholic warmth. Decided to Google and learned it’s 40% Cabernet Franc, after which I started looking for pyrazine, but couldn’t find any. The rest is 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. 13.5% alcohol.
I will probably buy a case and try to sit on it to let the tertiary notes develop. This may prove difficult since it’s very approachable now and fun to drink. The bottle has a sticker flaunting 97 points from Decanter – I dunno about that but it’s pretty damn delicious for the price. €18 in Ireland. With chump chops of very pink lamb fried in clarified butter with fresh sprigs of thyme.
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Deep ruby colour, transparent rim. The nose has pleasantly high-toned dark berry fruits at first – mainly blackberries, with a lightly creamed character occasionally reminding me of black/blueberry yoghurt (in a good way!) These develop a fuller, more brooding character and a meaty/gamey aspect with time. Skilfully integrated oak with pleasant herbaceousness now and again – blackcurrant leaf, very faint mint or salvia.
It fills the mouth with very fine, lingering tannins and a mouthwatering acidity that makes it quite addictive. Medium + bodied, with real Cabernet Franc character on the palate, bright black cherries, berry pips, some meatiness, pretty good but gentle length, some alcoholic warmth. Decided to Google and learned it’s 40% Cabernet Franc, after which I started looking for pyrazine, but couldn’t find any. The rest is 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. 13.5% alcohol.
I will probably buy a case and try to sit on it to let the tertiary notes develop. This may prove difficult since it’s very approachable now and fun to drink. The bottle has a sticker flaunting 97 points from Decanter – I dunno about that but it’s pretty damn delicious for the price. €18 in Ireland. With chump chops of very pink lamb fried in clarified butter with fresh sprigs of thyme.