Chateau Rouquette sur Mer – L’Absolu 2009 – Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape

Very dark core, but the rim indicates a certain evolution, it’s starting to get a bit more rusty. The nose is obviously evolved, very sweet, smoky and meaty, indicating ripe Syrah, with all of those spices, leather, that come with it. Almost like some smoked meat, raw meat in there. I like this palate, because it’s a wine that has found its harmony now, it has a good deal of dry extract, but it’s well-integrated now, rather powdery tannins like chocolate powder, we have that sweet unctuous dark fruit. It’s a quite rounded texture today, with a fairly high level of concentration and good persistence. It’s obviously a very ripe and warm style, but I think the alcohol is nicely integrated as well. In balance, and I think this is a wine that should be drunk today or within the near future, to something with an unctuous texture like raw dear, or some meaty flavours with black pepper and so forth. Attractive drinking today.

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