Tasting Notes:

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: Bright violet. Deep aromas of cherry, black raspberry, garrigue and earth. Broad, spicy and sweet, with a velvety texture and lush dark berry and lavender pastille flavors. Finishes sappy and sweet, featuring fine-grained tannins and excellent thrust. This alluring wine looks like it will be approachable young. (Mar/Apr 11)

Robert Parker: When I tasted this wine the final assemblage had not yet been done by Claire Michel, who has now taken over the reins of this estate from her parents. It should be a blend of 80% or more of Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre. The potential blend I tasted appears to have lots of structure, a muscular style, a deep plum/ruby/purple-tinged color, intense licorice, garrigue, lavender, black currant and black cherry characteristics, medium to full body and elevated tannins in the finish. The cuvee, which has a slightly longer elevage than many of its peers, will benefit from the extra time given its serious structure at present.