Chateau Des Crès Ricards – Oenothera Terrasses du Larzac 2013 – Coteaux du Languedoc

Red wine with a very intense core, almost black at the centre, with some ruby purple hints on the rim, high viscosity, high ripeness. Pure nose here, showing off some high ripeness, rather dark berries here, dark plum, dark cherry, dark berries, we also have some spicy notes in here; black pepper and dried herbs, with a hint of mint and dill. Wood is there, but rather discreet; some gentle notes of vanilla. Generous palate, with already quite well-rounded texture, we have grainy tannin here, but they’re not obtrusive in any way. Good volume, rather full, with meaty dark fruit. We get some notes of those dried herbs, pepper, rather dark fruit, quite ripe, but still not overripe or very sweet. The oak is well integrated here. I think this is well balanced, with a good level of drinkability, certainly with the structure to develop over the coming 4 to 5 or even more years, but I think one year would round off the edges a little bit and give it a bit more aromatic complexity and roundness on the palate. So well-made, in a Southern French style, with ripe dark fruit and fine herbal spiciness.

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.