Domaine de La Vieille Julienne : Les Hauts-Lieux 2017

Densely packed with dark plum, boysenberry and black cherry reduction notes, this is nonetheless reserved in style, as graphite, alder, black tea and sweet tobacco nuances flicker in the background. The finish is tightly coiled, but the fruit stays prominent right through to the very end. Just in need of some cellar time. Best from 2024 through 2038. 700 cases made, 150 cases imported.

Brilliant violet. Ripe dark fruit, floral and exotic spice aromas, along with suggestions of licorice and smoky minerals. Chewy and focused on entry and then more fluid in the midpalate, offering liqueur-like bitter cherry, blackberry and boysenberry flavors and a hint of succulent herbs. Closes very long and precise, with resonating floral and spice notes and steadily building tannins lending final grip.

The wine is silky, lush, fresh and peppery. The fruit has lift, tannin, crushed stones, spice and sweet, energetic dark red berries. Offering a juicy wave of peppery red fruits with vibrancy, minerality and freshness, you also find a long, spicy, kirsch note that lingers in the finish. The wine was produced from a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 10% Counouise.