2016 Domaine Jean-Claude Lapalu Eau Forte Vin de France

The 2016 Eau Forte comes from vines just behind the winery and is Jean-Claude's other Vin de France. I love the nose here, slightly southern Italian in style, expressive and rich but not cloying, with hints of licorice and marmalade, a touch of sorrel and bay leaf emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with grainy tannin. There are hints of leather, bay leaf and a slight charcoal note, as if a little soot had been sprinkled on the finish that has a long residual spiciness. Excellent. Review Date: August 2017