2023: 95 pts Decanter
Barrel sample, so a provisional score. This is darkly coloured for a pure Grenache. Damson and black cherry fruit, and a touch earthy. It’s concentrated, mouthcoating, silky, pure and juicy. The structure is remarkably intense – the acidity and the bold (if not tight) tannic frame. There’s a touch of looseness to the tannins, in a positive sense. It's an impressive wine with great length and it will age very well. The alcohol is generous but not excessive for a pure Grenache. From 45- to 80-year-old vines, 100% whole bunches; lightly crushed, 15-20 days maceration, only pumpovers, no punching down, temperature controlled, matured in demi-muids and some concrete eggs for 12 months. To be revisited in bottle before any definitive conclusions can be made on the final wine.

2023: JLL ****(*)
dark robe; the nose is promising, black fruit gums, a discreet aroma, is oily, nicely grapey, a serene and stylish opening. The palate is also stylish from the off, holds suave content, bears sève [sap] from the old vines and good gras, extends with notably fine powder-sand tannins, is well orchestrated, up there on quality, is very good, top tack. From mid 2024 to 2034-36.Feb 2024

100% Grenache (1950s-1970s, 2010s massale cuttings from 1910s Grenache) on Gobelet and wire training, from 3 plots at Gramenon behind the house - very limestone with clay, clay-limestone, sand, “our plus beau terroir,” Michèle A-L, 50-80% destemmed, 3 week vinification, pumping overs, 1 or 2 cap punchings, sometimes 1 x part vat emptying/refilling at end (2023), 20-25 mg SO2 applied after malo, aged 15% 18 hl egg (since 2018), 85% 8-12 year 600-litre oak casks 12 months (before late 2010s aged 4-10 year 228 & 225-litre oak casks 12 months, until late 2000s was aged 50% concrete vat, 50% 5-10 year 228 & 225-litre oak casks 8 months), unfined, unfiltered