As JS notes, this wine really picks up on the character of the syrah, exhibiting notes of black pepper, dried meat, black pepper and dark berry fruit. Adding some complexity are notes of local herbs and smoke. As with the '07, this wine really punches a level or two above most other wines in the region and, while more expensive than the norm in the south, this is a bargain given the quality. A wine true to its southern France roots. Lovely stuff here. Tasted July 2014.

Very nice GSM blend dominated by the syrah. Good value.

A whirlwind GSM -- good, then not good, then all over the place. It opens with a gorgeous blast of cassis, like a New World Cab, but then the Syrah takes over with black pepper and roasted meat atop cherry, raspberry, cola, and bitter herbs. Then the barnyard funk shows up, off-putting Mourvèdre notes that overwhelm. And you think, maybe it's done, gone for good. Until, with time, lots of time, the soft, warm Grenache helps to even things out with pillowy purple fruit. It eventually settles in as very good, with admirable complexity, good depth and length, and unresolved internal turmoil.