A frequent topic about Southern Rhone reds is ageability. I’m with those who say do not age them. At all. There are exceptions, of course, but the majority is at their best when released. Ripe, round and seductive, they don’t need years to soften; they only lose freshness.

It might be especially true for the higher ABV ones and where the grenache percentage is high, as well. Just like in this case (16% and 100%, respectively). I tasted it 4-5 times during the years; it was the best on the first occasion. My last bottle (from the same order, sitting in my wine fridge since), opened a few weeks ago is the least convincing – still good but not even close to the first two.

Better on the nose. Stewed strawberries, rosemary, it oozes grenache; there is development here, in the form of licorice notes. Full-bodied yet compact, starts to mellow. The high ABV (16%) is more and more obvious towards the finish and gets overwhelming, hiding everything else, leaving nothing but a burning sensation in the aftertaste. The smell is great but lacks balance and drinkability. Drink up ASAP. 86 points.