2016 Pierres Seches Sainte Epine rouge

And here we are at the summit, from the 85+ year old vines that Sylvain lucky to tend. From S/SE facing craggy granitic soils, with 80% whole cluster inclusion, the low yielding small berries here have a very high skin to juice ratio, regularly resulting in a particularly dense, layered wine with all food groups fruit/savory/mineral well represented. I think it is not an understatement to say that you will be very hard pressed to find a bottle of N Rhone Syrah as compelling as this for the money, so get a 6pk and thank me later!….6 barrels made, aka 150 cases, 13% alc.

“Lurid ruby. Dark berries, potpourri, peppery spices and a hint of olive on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy, penetrating and sweet, offering intense blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors and a smoky mineral nuance that gains strength with air. Supple tannins give shape to an impressively persistent, mineral-laced finish that strongly repeats the dark berry and spice notes.” 92 Josh Raynolds