Domaine La Remejeanne 'Les Arbousiers' Cotes du Rhone 2022

In 2015, due to the tiny Grenache yields, Olivier Klein's Les Arbousieres is predominantly old vine Syrah. The final blend weighs in at 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, which was a surprise given how aromatic and Grenache-y the wine tasted in France. As usual, the fruit comes from a single plot of old vines called Arbousieres - the name references a type of fruit tree that abounds in central France. Rather than just adding tannic weight and high levels of extraction (as many 'old vine' Rhône blends seem to specialise in), this is a finely balanced wine with the poise and finesse, reflecting both the altitude and the limestone rich soils, which are quite unusual in the Southern Rhône. The palate is really fresh and lively with plenty of intense, red cherry and wild strawberry fruit as well as some meaty, peppery complexity and then some floral notes kicking in on the finish. Very fine, pure and classy. Ripe, velveteen tannins complete the picture.