M&S £8.49

Scented, savoury and perfumed, quite unlike anything I’ve encountered before, I kept going back for more. On first taste the acidity takes the lead and it comes across as a fairly light, refreshing, peppered red with berry juice qualities, then more complex secondary flavours kick in, cigar skin and earthy but remaining fresh. This really is very good, it may not be to everyone’s taste, particularly if you are looking for a bit more body from your Syrah but I think this would make an excellent food match with lighter meat and fuller fish dishes. I’m looking forward to finishing this off tonight.

Quote:

ABOUT THIS WINE: This brilliantly easy-drinking red is a new release born of a close collaboration between M&S and Guilhem Bascou of Domaine Condamine l'Evêque. This 40-hectare family property in the Hérault Valley is run along environmentally friendly lines - a practice made all the easier by the warm, benign climate of the region which naturally encourages healthy vines and grapes. The experienced Guilhem oversees both viticulture and winemaking, having taken over from his parents Guy and Marie-Claude 16 years ago. This lightly spicy, smooth and food-friendly red is a blend of two-thirds Syrah with one-third Mourvèdre, left unoaked to promote freshness and drinkability.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

Second night, more rounded and together, that wonderful nose has subsided. Not bad at all.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

Yeah, interesting stuff GK.

Saint Chinian is in Hérault Country, and a nice wine when bought in France, never good'uns in England tho, just not trendy.
Things are looking up for Herault, they were scrawny and dull, but small producers, are taking over their parents vineyards and doing things, taking a leaf out of the southern Rhone book, producing concentrated and fruity wines - rather than bulk austere wines, which the Herault had a pretty naff reputation for.
These should develop a bit.

Sounds very nice, particularly the cigar skin leaf and earthy notes, scented savoury and perfumed, Hot stones country, any wizened scrubland herby bits in there ? I like that in a rhone mix.

Good TN - GK, you went off your path, and took a risk there. Apart from Saint Chinian, vin de Herault was "getting pissed party dross" before you were born

Should interest Mel, this progress there.

_________________
Duncan

Cheers D, this turned up in a M&S mixed case.

They're not bad those M&S wine folk, very good of them to send me this

_________________
Yep, Im still here.