Domaine Grand Nicolet Domaine Grand Nicolet Rasteau Vieilles Vignes 2017 750ml

Not yet bottled, the 2020 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes is another ripe, sexy wine. Blueberries, blackberries, violets, and Provençal garrigue notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, textured, nicely concentrated, balanced Rasteau that will evolve for a decade. This cuvée is 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre. (Jeb Dunnuck)

The old vine cuvée is the 2017 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes, based on 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre that’s brought up in older barrels. Blackberries, toasted spice, smoked earth and licorice notes all flow to a rich, powerful, concentrated Rasteau that has ripe, present tannins and a great finish. It’s certainly going to be an outstanding wine.

Densely concentrated plum and black cherry flavors are muted by savory notes of crushed earth and tobacco and in this full-bodied blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. It’s a rounded, open-knit wine that’s showing glimpses of maturity, so it’s best to enjoy now–2024. (Anna Lee C. Iijima)