DomaineMerlinSaintJoseph

This Syrah from the winemakers at Domaine Merlin is a particularly charming and fruit-forward wine and a great representation of a Northern Rhône red. It is entirely destemmed prior to fermentation in wooden vats, before seeing 12 months ageing in barriques.

16.5/20 �Tasted blind. Cocoa and cherry on the nose. The palate has some firm tannins and a chewy mid palate �the fruit is there and underneath the finely tuned tannins. A ripe finish �needs a year or two to integrate but should knit together nicely. �Alistair Cooper MW, JancisRobinson.com

91/100 �Liquorice, lavender and rosemary, this has freshness and energy, though the tannins are very soft and ripe. Good concentration and otherwise well balanced. All destemmed, matured for 12 months in barriques and demi-muids, 20% new. �Matt Walls, Decanter