Some time back, I lamented about a 2000 vintage Domaine Grand Veneur 'Les Origines' Cdp I brought to a dinner with some other wine geeks (hey Bob!).
I still had a 2001 and opened it on the weekend to make room for some recent purchases. Mon dieu, I wish I had bought more and held on to them.
50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah.
Despite the 15% abv, this had none of the booziness of the 2000. The nose was great right from opening, with blackberries and cracked pepper. Coffee and spices emerged with time.
The palate was layered with blackberries, pepper, spices, herbs, leather, black tea, mocha and a gaminess that I loved, but turned my wife off. Whatever - more for me.