2015 Domaine Grand Nicolet Vieilles Vignes Rasteau

A Grenache Syrah blend sourced from vines with an average age of 70 years. A portion of the Syrah is aged in 2-3 year old barrels for 12 months with the balance matured in concrete tank vats for 18 months.

Spectacular inky black colour with a deep dark red black hue. Wonderfully aromatic with black cherry, liquorice and black raspberry scents melding into a combination of scorched earth, spicy herbs and pepper. Rich, structured and peppery, the full bodied the palate is amply concentrated with succulent flavours of black raspberries and black cherries swamping the palate over liquorice, scorched earth infusions, dried herbs and pepper. Chewy mouthfeel with robust, firmly built tannins imparting some grip. Long peppery aftertaste of ripe black cherries, black raspberries, liquorice and subtle scorched earth. A powerful, pepper infused Rasteau.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 15%

Other Reviews….
Another blockbuster is the 2015 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes, which is based on 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It sees a long maceration followed by aging in concrete tanks (there’s 10% of the Syrah aged in two-year-old barrels). Its deep purple color is followed by a full-bodied, mouth-filling, beautifully layered Rasteau that’s loaded with notions of blackberry jam, blackcurrants, licorice and black cherries. There’s some obvious minerality on the finish, and this beauty will benefit from short term cellaring and keep for a decade.
90-93 points
Jeb Dunnuck – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate