Palate

Some red fruit, but the nose leans to more purple and black fruit. Tar, purple flower, white pepper, and black olive. Green Provence herbs (the garrigue). More power than elegance which is unusual for this wine. Acid is fresh and firm. Tannins fall between medium and medium-plus. Balanced alcohol, even at 14%. Both earth and fruit flavors cover the palate.

Aging

The finished wine was fermented 85% whole cluster and aged in predominately neutral Stockinger foudre, a.k.a. really big barrels, with a small amount in 500-liter puncheons and small barrels.