Tardieu-Laurent
Vacqueyras "Vielles Vignes"
2003
This old vine wine delivers lots of aromatics: cedar, woodsmoke, licorice, lavender. It's big and woody on the palate, and though there's not much fruit, it has tremendous Rhôny character. The herbaceousness and pineyness linger on the finish, as does the oak. A little age might calm the tannins, but maybe it's just under-extracted. It's fun anyway, with a huge personality. Interesting and not for the fainthearted.
Price: $32