Pique Basse Côtes du Rhône Villages Roaix L'As du Pique

Plum red. Meaty, beefy nose with mulberry fruit. Medium to full body.

Robust S.Rhone red.

Dark black-purple. Again (see 2011 vintage) some very light petillance at first. Strong nose of leather, liquorice, menthol/camphor, spice (mace) and black pepper. Big in mouth, still some tannin with damson and leather. Same sort of power as an Aussie Shiraz, but drier, more complex and better with food. Some length.

Petillance gone, very good solid southern Rhone wine.

The suggestion of petillance is beginning to fade. Probably needs another 6 - 12 months.

This wine may be flawed - read on. Purple red, youthful appearance. Nose reminiscent of Chateau Musar, which is bizarre since they don't have a single grape variety in common (this is: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and Mourvedre). Gamey, peppery, a bit of copper, beef jus very full and fruity. In the mouth a little prickling on the tongue suggesting petillance, secondary fermentation? However given a couple of hours that settled down and the wine became very full-on with ripe …

Absolutely deliciously drinking now. Could be Cote Rotie at a fraction of the price.

First bottle of the case. Not yet 'a point', I think another 6 months. Not as full as the 2010.