Pic St Loup, La Closerie du Pic, Château Puech-Haut 2014

Still not yet bottled (I tasted it from barrel last year as well), the 2014 Languedoc Pic Saint Loup Closerie du Pic is a blend of mostly Syrah and Mourvèdre, with a splash of Grenache. It got a big “wow” in my notes and has fabulous, fresh, lively notes of dark fruits, crushed rocks and spring flowers. There’s notable oak on the nose, but it’s beautifully integrated and lends a polish and richness to its texture. Full-bodied, with ripe tannin and a great finish, this is a sensational Pic Saint Loup that will drink well right out of the gate, yet evolve for 7-8 years or more.

A blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre with a touch of Grenache, the Closerie du Pic is much more Northern Rhone in style than the other wines in the Puech-Haut range. Deep purple in colour, the nose offers ripe bramble fruits, damson, coffee and a touch of black pepper. The palate is full and round but with smooth, plush tannins softly supporting the fruit. Blackberry, damson and plum fruits rise through the mid-palate with hints of black pepper and black olive. Long, fine and round, this is a juicy and approachable wine with a lovely floral violet-scented finish.