Collioure l’Oriental 2014

Made from Grenache Noir and aged in barrels of different sizes for a year. L’Oriental is the sunniest selection of Collioure and the grapes are picked when they are equally ripe the same as for Banyuls (a glorious local fortified red not to be compared to Port). The wine has the purple color that only the greatest Grenache can produce and an aroma that is a snapshot of the Mediterranean: sage, garrigue, dark spices, salt and fruit that is at the same time warm yet incredibly fragrant as only the reds of southern France can be. The mouthfeel is loose, like all the great Grenache, but at the same time extremely rich. The fruit, in fact, overflows. The finish perfectly corresponds with the aroma. Drink this cool because Grenache tannins for some reason hold up well in the refrigerator. Well-worth the 40 euros it costs.

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