WTN: Chateau Mas Neuf Cuvee Tradition Rouge 2008

Costieres De Nimes

A blend of Grenache (60 per cent), Syrah (35), Cinsault (3) and Carignan (2).

Chilled before supper.

Dark red in the glass.

Spicy, smoky, earthy on the nose.

Medium weight, red licorice, spicy, cinnamon, cherry cough syrup, floral, peppery, quite hot, with a very distracting shrill streak.

Harsh and rough alcohol on the finish.

What a disappontment. I have had many yummy reds from this region, but this was not one of them.

Purchased at $13.95 (Canadian).

In my experience, wines with high alcohol that have fake-tasting acidity (and which may indeed have been acidified...) tend to present this kind of harshness. I wonder if that may have been the case with this one?