JL Chave Sélection Côte-du-Rhône Mon Coeur 2008 - 14% abv; at nearly 20€ not quite the great value here that it is elsewhere
I haven't usually been too fond of the negociant wines of Chave but this CdR was very pleasant. Though a blend of Grenache and Syrah it smells on opening much like a pure Syrah: black olives and game bird's blood. Some sweetness that I associate with Grenache does appear over time but it does seem always a Syrah-led wine. Rich, meaty, nicely tannic, refreshing finish despite some Grenache sweetness showing through. Nice!