2013 Cotes du Roussillon Villages les Trois Maries

The top wine is the 2013 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Trois Marie, and while tasted as a barrel sample, it’s certainly one of the most compelling wines from this great vintage. Made from 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah, vinified in concrete tank and aged in foudre, it offers a deep, layered and decadent personality as well as terrific notes of crème de cassis, crushed flowers, violets and spice. Like the cuvee Hugo, this beauty has full-bodied power and richness, yet also has stunning purity of fruit, no hard edges and blockbuster length. Given the overall purity and texture, I suspect it will drink nicely on release, yet also have a decade of longevity.