Yet another one from the endless row of great 2016 Southern Rhone reds. The first wine I tried from the producer and it convinced me, now I want to try more from their portfolio.

A modern style of Rhone reds, in the best sense: it’s precise, pure and adorably polished. Ripe and generous as you would expect from the genre, but not overblown or sweet. Restrained, perhaps closed on the nose – I often experience that in the 2016s, around the age of 2.5 years -, it smells of the skins of wild berries and and blackberries, black, ripe and tart at the same time. Great density on the palate with a silk-like texture, it’s so refined, so smooth, finishing with properly firm and balanced tannins. Controlled power. Lots to enjoy here.

Rating: very good, close to outstanding – as a Cotes du Rhone AOC, it’s extraordinary. 89 points, in its class: 9/10.