La Négly La Falaise Red 2022

Chateau la Negly sits in La Clape, a limestone massif on the Mediterranean coast of the Languedoc, and this organic La Falaise is a classic southern blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. La Clape is one of the warmest, sunniest and windiest corners of France; the sea breezes and salt air, the poor limestone soils and the surrounding scrub, known as garrigue, all leave their mark, giving ripe fruit framed by savoury, herbal and saline notes. The grapes ripen fully, which is reflected in the wine's strength of 15%. It spends twelve months in oak, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannin from the Syrah and Mourvedre and adds spice and a fine toast. The colour is deep, almost opaque. The nose shows ripe blackberry and plum, with black pepper, liquorice, thyme and wild herbs over a cocoa edge. The palate is full bodied and warm, with firm, savoury tannin and a long, herb tinged finish. Decant for an hour and serve at 17 to 18C. It is a robust wine for grilled and roast meat.