Domaine Sous la Montagne 2016

The 2016 Cotes du Roussillon Villages is a whole-cluster fermented blend of Carignan, Syrah and the balance Lledoner Pelut. Aged all in tank, it’s an elegant, yet full-bodied red that has impressive notes of cassis, licorice and toasted spices. With sweet tannin, moderate acidity and a great finish, it promises to drink nicely right out of the gate and keep for 4-6 years.

Tasted out of bottle, the 2016 Côtes du Roussillon Villages DSM is more complex and savory than the 2017 yet doesn't have that vintage's purity or sexiness. Black raspberries, saddle leather, herbes de Provence, and cedary garrigue notes all flow to medium-bodied, elegant, silky wine that has tons of southern France character and charm. The blend is 41% Carignan, 30% Syrah, 23% Grenache, and 6% Lledoner Pelut that was mostly destemmed and brought up all in concrete tanks.