2019 e Virtus
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Tasting notes
The 2019 E-Virtus is fantastic. The style of Syrah grown here in the Minervois vineyards at Hegarty Chamans has a lovely balance of Northern-Rhône-like savouriness with added riper, plush mid-palate fruity tones. There is a lovely spice note to the blackberry and blueberry coulis fruit flavours as well as licorice and light gamey notes adding complexity. Aged in 30% new French oak, there is a lovely layering of tannins to the wine and the finish is wonderfully silky.
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Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
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Full bottle 1,343 g. Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic. Syrah and Carignan. The back label explains the front label and the name of the wine – a triangle with small symbols at each point. 'e Virtus' means from power, and the triangle represents the three values of power: honour, courage and truth. The rather beautiful, fluid spill of charcoal black, smoky dove grey, and gold thread in the centre of the triangle is probably explained by the advice on the back which says, 'Wine for drinking with smoke and fire.' Much as I could be accused of autosuggestion, the smokiness of this wine is palpable! It's smoked paprika, it's coffee-rub brisket, it's bacon wrapped around prunes. It's a double-bass growl, a sax in a dark bar at midnight, old velvet in an old library soaked with memories of pipe and fireplace. It tastes just like the rather beautiful, fluid spill of charcoal black, smoky dove grey, and gold thread in the centre of the triangle on the front label. Light that fire. Pour a glass. (TC)
About the producer
Hegarty Chamans is a winery co-owned by Sir John Hegarty and his wife Philippa, situated on the south facing slopes of the Montagne Noire region of Minervois.