Coume del Mas Banyuls Quintessence 2007

I help at this winery, so my banter is not by any means objective, nor should it be taken as such. Doesn't really matter, as the wines are ace whether I like them or not.

Dark, purple and broody. Kind of like Barney's evil twin, who happens to be a velociraptor.

Sweet wild herbs and honeysuckle on the nose with a touch of smokey meatiness. Bramble and blueberry compote fruit as well.

Philippe, the winemaker, makes this wine as he would a red, for the most part. He waits until the very last minute to fortify and considers it important that it should have as much character and structure as one of his dry wines. The fruit is incredibly pure - blackberry and blueberry so ripe they burst, sat on a bed of sweet wild rosemary with a dusty forest floor. That honeysuckle sweetness comes through on the mid-palate with savoury hints throughout. All the while there a gentle tannin edge that provides structure and depth to the texture. Long and lingering on the finish.

*****

Tasted loads, but most recently 16 May 2010 at Luvians Bottleshop