Very refined and integrated nose, with lots of creamy vanilla-based fruit, and nicely toasted oak. Tastes like freshly toasted bread with blackberry compote, fabulous balance, and nice sweet toasty taste that lasts through very long finish. Chateau Valcombe Le Griottes - Cotes du Ventoux. Tasty, if a bit rough on the palate, with moderate fruit and very long finish. B 1999 Domaine les Grand Bois Cuvee Gabrielle - Cotes du Rhone Villages.
Nose seems somewhat swampy and stemmy initially, overshadowing the light-moderate fruit.
This seems to disappear with some swirling, yet also returns with time. Toasty and a bit coarse in mouthfeel, with moderate fruit, and a nice long finish. Domaine de Fontenille - Cote du Luberon. Medium garnet-ruby color. Bright, stemmy, earthy and meaty nose, with a crushed floral quality.