The blend: 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Carignan

Alcohol: 13%

Price: $15-$20  as sampled $9.97 at Costco on markdown

Ratings: 91 points Wine Spectator, Tom Stevenson’s Wine Report rated it the “Number one value in Languedoc”

The Nose: Intense Thyme, Graphite, Minerality

The Palate:  More Thyme, Minerality, Meat.  After a few hours in the decanter the tannins and fruit started to shine through.  Tart spicy blackberry fruit, astringent mouth puckering tannins.  After 5 hours in the decanter the tannins have died down considerably, elegant smooth and not overly fruity, still a powerful wine.

The Finish:  Smooth, balanced, becoming more and more delicious with more time in the decanter