2015 Pic Saint-Loup AOP La Ruche, Languedoc, France

Lard and still a little bit cabbagey vegetal scent with aromas of partly pickled black berries, fried onions, hazelnut spirit, leather, pepper and earth. Ripe, juicy, dark fruit, lively acidity and fine sandy, rather crumbly tannin, dried herbal, nutty and peppery nuances, lots of power and good persistence, still young, a hint of citrus zest on the palate, in the background also salt, some cocoa and coffee, very good, juicy finish with bite and cooling elements.

Best to drink: 2018-2023+. What our ratings mean