Famille Perrin, Vinsobres 2016 'Les Hauts de Julien'

A wine of elegance, structure and balance. Aromas of apples, honey and wild flowers. The additional time in bottle before release creates a more harmonious structure and balance. A good life ahead.

Drinking Dates: 2022 to 2030

Cépagement: Syrah and Grenache, co-planted (90-year-old vines)

Soil: Dark red clay consisting of alluvial deposits, minerals, and chalk

Upbringing: Vinified traditionally. Aged (15%) in oak barrels for one year. No filtration before bottling.

ABV: 14.5%

'Concentrated palate of vibrant herbal black fruit with integrated oak adding complexity and spice. Good tannic grip and fine acidity. A punchy beast.' 94/100 (Matt Walls, Decanter)

'The 2015 Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien is a dead ringer for a Cornas from Clape. This inky colored beauty offers tons of blackberries, olive tapenade, pepper and even a hint of bacon fat to go with a full-bodied, concentrated, incredibly layered and pure style on the palate. As with the other 2015s from the Perrin family, its purity of fruit is truly special. Give bottles a few years in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or more.' 94-96/100 (Wine Advocate)

Meaty, peppery, rich - and very dark. Well-integrated spicy oak, heavyweight fruit intensity. Lots of grain and chew. Very serious, and with highly polished fruit intensity.' 17+/20 Points (jancisrobinson.com)

"Big, ripe bouquet of black cherry and mocha oak. Thick coulis fruits in a deep, insistent palate that ends coolly." 91/100 John Livingstone-Learmonth (Decanter)