Domaine du Tunnel, Saint-Joseph

Beautiful balance of power & freshness here in this Domaine du Tunnel Saint-Joseph (v19, 14% ABV) - lingering terroir & minerality & incredibly fine fruit concentration. Deep & dense ruby/purple in appearance. Nose bursts w deep scents of cassis & blackberries, finely grained white pepper, anise, a tad of iron & toasted/roasted notes. Palate - highly concentrated, m+-bodied, preserved freshness, flavours echoing nose w a bit of bitterness emerging mid-palate along w grainy tannins, juicy, mineral-driven long close!

Dark red. Fresh, bloody, pepper, stone and mostly dark berries. Still young, and needs some air. Very happy to have more in my cellar!

Comes across as as a bit of a smooth operator with some roasted notes above the archtypical Syrah with the black olives, the hanged meat and what not. Quite dense, very young, yet approachable, if you like 'em full bodied.

Dark, fully opaque black cherry color that turns slightly purple towards the rim. Pungent and at first heavily reductive nose with aromas of flint smoke and gunpowder, revealing aromas of pronounced blackberries, crushed peppercorns, some gamey animal character, a hint of sanguine meaty character and a hint of earthiness. The wine is ripe, full-bodied and quite soft on the palate with rather sweet-toned flavors of blackberries, some peppery spice, a little bit of savory woody character, light hints of vanilla …

What's with the price? Oak, herbs, vanilla and red berries on the nose. Fresh, drinkable and juicy wine is easygoing and surprisingly fresh.

Some Bottles from a Week in France; 4/14/2013-4/21/2013 (Paris, Northern Burgundy, Alsace) : Dark but not opaque. Incredible violet fragrance. Supple, medium weight. Lovely stuff.