Ordered a few of these Abbotts & Delaunay wines after reading some highly favourable reviews on The Wine Front. I suspect I wasn’t the only one to do so. After tasting this Minervois, I’m pretty keen to pull the corks on the rest of them. Expect to see notes very soon.
The Syrah and Carignan grapes undergo some carbonic maceration, whilst the Grenache does not. Matured in 20% new oak and 20% older oak.
As soon as you smell it, you know this wine has some concentration. It’s got blackberry fruit, some blueberry too. There is a meaty side which suggests beef stock, as well as dried thyme. The dense palate takes what’s evident on the nose and amplifies it. A flavour of chocolate coated licorice appears, and the wine finishes with considerable earthiness, before blackberry flavours storm back to take the throne. There’s a glossy texture overall and plenty of fruit weight despite the savouries. I’d think this wine will appeal to lovers of bigger Australian reds.
A wine suited to hearty red meat stews or osso bucco. You’re not going to find many imports this good for $25, so buy up.
Excellent / 92 points
Closure: Cork
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Sealed With Wax 