Domaine L'Ostal Minervois-La Livinière Grand Vin

The wine was dark ruby in colour and offered blackberry, garrigue, leather, dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, some smoke and earthy notes on the nose. On the palate the wine showed red and dark fruit, blackberry, black currant, plum, leather, mushroom, chocolate, spices, pepper and liquorice, paired with lively medium-plus acidity, medium to medium-plus tannin, moderate heat from the alcohol, a slightly creamy mouthfeel and very good length. A medium-bodied, medium-complex, reasonably balanced wine. It drank consistently well over three days, …

wonderful as a first red wine with cheese.

Medium to dark ruby with brilliant clarity. Nose of refined raspberry, slight oak and spice. Medium-bodied, very silky texture; peaks at the mid palate and gradually smoothens out on the long finish with some mineral notes. Very easy and enjoyable to drink now.

This wine was recommended to me by my local wine store ("A really nice wine, but almost impossible to sell despite its great QPR."). I decanted the wine for 1 hour and 20 minutes and consumed it over four days (vacuum-pumped). On the nose the wine offered dark and red fruits, some vegetal notes, herbs, spices and a minty component. The wine also smelled a little creamy. On the palate the wine showed dark and red fruits and a tea …

Strong blast of alcohol on the nose to begin with, but this blew off. After a time, rich dark fruit, slightly stewed perhaps, some vanilla in the background, very smooth.