Bernard Magrez Languedoc Le Bien Décidé

After a 3-hour decant: delicious, with much better balance than the previous bottle that I reviewed 16 months ago. Each of the three components (Syrah, Carignan, Grenache) makes its presence known. Drink now if you have it.

We had this with braised lamb shanks after a 90-minute decant. The Syrah is the only component of the blend that made itself known at this point....meaty and spicy as it was. It might be that the wine needs more air; it's a bit of a disappointment relative to what other reviewers have reported. I'll post an addendum it if reveals more after additional aeration. Edit: It does open up with more air. Still Syrah-dominant, but a bold, masculine wine.

Impressive opaque black with an half inch pour. An interestingly rich wine, with blueberry and meaty flavors, most likely from the higher Syrah in the blend.

Dark color with purple bubbles when poured, very plush mouth entry, and surprisingly soft tannin and rounded acidity. Tasty fruit flavors of black plum, boysenberry, and mulberry. 40% Syrah, 30% Carignane, and 30% Grenache. Forward, polished and open, with neither high acidity nor firm tannin, closer to the style made from Rhone grapes in California.