Mas Coutelou Quoi qu'il en Goutte NV Vin de France

A blend of Syrah and Carignan from 2019 and Syrah from 2020 - hence the absence of a year on the label. The name translates literally as "No Matter What" - and if I am not mistaken, the label has a certain "Covid" look about it...... an amusing take on the events of the past couple of years, I guess! The wine itself is deeply coloured - such a dark red as to almost appear blue. On opening, there's a touch of CO2 spritz, so needs a good shake for it to disperse. Once it settles into its stride, it displays masses of bramble and black cherry aromas, with further notes of leather, sous-bois and very fine eau de vie. The palate is chock full of sweet-sour preserved and fresh black fruit flavours, pepper, spice and herb, with grippy but ripe tannins, acidity to match. On day 2, further notes of tobacco and umami begin to peep through, whilst the fruit remains so fresh and full of vitality. All-in-all, this is a peppery, spicy, sweet-sour bundle of loveliness, with a long, tangy, dry finish. A really complex and age-worthy wine.