Here’s the full tasting note for...

Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres, Cuvee Cistus, 2018 MAGNUM

Named after the cistus or rock rose, the pretty shrub which dots the hillsides, a blend of 70% Syrah with 30% Mourvèdre. 2018 was a very small harvest (after problems with mildew) of high quality; 60% was aged in 500-litre barrels, and the rest in tank. A dark wine - dark in hue and dark in flavour profile - showing black cherry and cassis accented by black chocolate oak hints and liquorice. Fragrance of the garrigue. Still youthful and vigorous; with lurking mineral depths. Now-2026

“I can see exactly why they’ve called this wine Cistus. The extraordinary smell of cistus, a Mediterranean rock rose, is called labdanum in the perfume industry. In the hot days of Languedoc summer, the volatile oils from the leaves fill the air, dropping on and clinging to the grape skins as night cools. Wines made in vineyards surrounded by cistus-dominated garrigue often have this gorgeous, resiny, pine-and-lemon top-scented but leatherplum-honey base-scented character, and this is no exception. The tannins are almost soothingly supple, but belted tightly to the wine. Without a second’s hesitation, I would bring out the pasture-raised prime rib of beef. 17/20”, Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com, 20th May 2021