Domaine Gramenon, L'Emouvante, Côtes du Rhône, 2016

A captivating nose, really spicy, with notes of clove, cinnamon, cardamom and intense smoky bacon. Full-bodied, vibrant and detailed in the mouth, with remarkable acidity. Fun to drink, it flirts with reduction. It has robust, chiselled tannins, and remarkable freshness and detail for a southern Rhône Syrah.

Old-vine Syrah from Montbrison-sur-Lez in the northern reaches of the Southern Rhône, yields of 25 hl/ha. Hugely complex, unmistakably Southern Rhône Syrah but with a Northern bent. Candied violets, blackberry pâte de fruits, blueberries and extinguished cigar smokiness. Fresh, with some enjoyably textural tannins, well balanced, highly drinkable and has a cooling menthol edge. What a wine!