2009 Ch. Viranel, Cuvée Tradition, AOC St Chinian, Languedoc

All the grapes are hand picked and yields are severely restricted ; fermentation takes place in concrete tanks and then the wines are matured in both vat ( Grenache and Carignan) and older wood casks( Syrah and Mourvèdre) . The warm micro climate of St Chinian tends to yield generous and complex wines of great charm and real depth of fruit; this is a worthy representative of such a style

The wine shows a powerful nose of blackberry, licorice and pepper which leads to a rich and luxuriant palate dominated in youth by notes of bitter chocolate, damson and spice. Tannins in accordance with the power of the vintage will cede over the next 12 months or so. M Bergasse recommends trying this with ‘canard aux olives ‘or ‘escargots à la provençale’………. admirable ideas both!
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, August 2011