Wow, lots of tiny French words on the label here. At times like this, I throw my hands up and just Google the damn encépagement because I really can’t be arsed to remember details about every AOC under the sun, now, can I? Anyhow, what we have here is a straight-up grenache-syrah from the south of France with a slightly porty, slightly confected, and very much grilled nose, grilled meats and toasted wood, with a homeopathic dose of whatever French is for the funk. The wine offers up an enchanting mixture of stewed prune dessert, well judged wood, and a sort of strawberry-balsamic-black pepper effect – very complex and pretty freakin’ lovely.Very rich and mouth-filling, this is big enough to be Californian, and yet that fine-grained tannin and minerality gives it away instantly as Not Being From Around Here, if you know what I mean. Sharp, lively acidity underpins it as well, so the fullness of the wine doesn’t grow tiresome; the finish is long and smooth, all roasted toffee over a bed of freshly planed tannins.Absolutely lovely wine and a steal at this price.Château de la Negly
Price: $13
Closure: Cork
Source: Retail