2001 Domaine du Vieux Chêne
Cotes du Rhone
Cuvée de la Haie aux Grives
Dull brick red with a slight orange tint at the edges. Earth, plums, briars and raspberries, but all very slight, in the nose. Tartness on the palate is instant, and so striking the first impression is a tart carbonated red, but there are not bubbles, no carbonation. Very fresh and fruity, tasting of barely ripe plums, blueberries, pepper and a touch of mushrooms. The finish is actually more full than the palate, seeming to add to what is in your mouth, even as it gets emptier. It is long, tart and fruity on the center of the tongue and in the cheeks.
I can't put my finger on why, perhaps the way it feels like a light carbonated zin, but it strikes me as a hot summer day afternoon red.
14% alchohol. $11.98.