Domaine de la Bouissiere, Beaumes de Venise

15% alcohol. G 80%, S 20%. Vines are over 50 years old for G and over 30 years old for S; there is a wealth of extra info on the property's website. Long cork of unimpressive quality. The colour is medium, with no fading at the rim. The nose has very pleasant stewed fruit and dried flowers only marginally marred by a whiff of alcohol; harmonious in its own way nevertheless. The mouth is better balanced thanks to its very …

A JLL WOW wine, and four stars. He says enjoyable young and will easily keep for a decade. I'd agree with all that. But 15% alcohol is... a lot. It carries it was well as one could hope, but it's noticeable all the same. And after half a bottle, you feel the effects. Just wish this was a bit less alcholic.

Beginning to fade - some browning, lightish damask red. Nose: black treacle, bramble bush, liquorice, burnt fruit tart (!). Medium full-bodied, still tannic - elderberry, sloe, tobacco juice, leather; fruits in middle but dry at edges. Good length - dried rose petals. Still hanging on, but no more than 2 years left.

15% alcohol. G 80%, S 20%. Very good long cork. The colour is on the dark side of medium. The nose is striking with dark fruit and liquorice; more power than subtlety, but nothing rough either (although the alcohol impinges slightly at this stage). In the mouth, there is a tingly sensation that helps a lot to counteract the brute force of the wine; kind of balanced as a result, but still on the muscular side. Very satisfying in that …

Drank it a dinner party.

Dark damask red. On the nose: a not very pronounced metallic element, liquorice, floral (rose). Nicely full in the mouth. Still plenty of tannins.

Fruity, full bodied. Would buy again.

Not very generous and rather rustic, drying and a little lean. 85-86