2011 Vignoble Reveille, Franc Tireur, Roussillon, Cotes Catelanes, France.
This earthy and dense red from the South of France, close to the Spanish frontier is made from ancient 100 Year Old Carignan vines, and it’s a wonderfully pleasing wine from an organic producer/artisan winemaker that I’d never tried before. I certainly will be keeping my eyes out for Vignoble Reveille wines (made by France Crispeels, a woman winemaker from Belgium) after sampling this intriguing old vine Carignan, I’m grateful to importers Return to Terroir for introducing me with a taste of this interesting wine. The 2011 Revielle-Roussillon Cotes Catelanes starts with a mix of earthy loam, spice, wild herbs and leathery notes before revealing a savvy mix or red fruits, mineral and warm brick/rocky essences with red currant, black cherry, boysenberry and plum layers. There is flashes of truffle, cracked pepper, lavender oil and salty anise making for a complex and well made wine that has old world charm and vitality, drink 2013-2018.
($20 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive
