Lesec, Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2000

Deep red.

Spicy tomato, garrigue, smoke and potato/earth nose. Hint of blood/iron also.

Round, spicy entry, with strong acidity and reasonably fine tannin providing the framework. Iron, garrigue flavors resonate throughout. Quite long, just not refined or nuanced. Very southern Rhone - surprising - as I remember this being quite fruit driven and plush in its youth. New oak, I thought back then, but no sign of it now.

Day 4 - Wild, lifted, nose now - dried herbs, cracked black pepper, orange zest, earth. Reminds me, to some extent, of a cool-climate Aussie Shiraz. Then a hint of wilted herbs and potato in the mouth (N. Rhone?), slight oxidation.

A great deal. Lesec makes wine simply, and when it works (minimal Brett influence), the wines can be killer.

$25