Lockdown Wine #105. Restrictions have been relaxed, but we're still under curfew and outside Manila, the situation is getting a lot worse. So, still technically under lockdown.
This is an interesting one. Xavier Vignon is apparently very well connected with some big names in Chateauneuf. This is a blend of the last 5 good vintages in the Southern Rhone - 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 - and has grapes from Rasteau, Chateauneuf, Ventoux, and Cotes du Rhone Villages. Also has most of the Southern Rhone's red grapes (majority Grenache), but no Syrah. Received some pretty high scores from the pros. Good, but not 96 points good. More like high 80s for me.
Youthful, opaque. A bit hot (15%). Black fruit and charred wood. Soft tannins. Pretty approachable out of the bottle. Quite dense. Ripe black fruit, but tends to dryness. Wood spices and a bit of oak/wood showing up as well. Rich. Freshness provided by the acidity coming out at the finish. Good length. Nice wine, but nicer with a steak or hearty stew. Probably has some upside potential with age, but good to go now.