Chêne Bleu Astralabe 2015 (France)

Description

"A blend of Grenache and Syrah from the southern Rhône Valley. Dense, supple and seamless red with plum, dark berry, baked earth, new leather, spice, anise and dried herb flavours. A complex, slightly savoury red with a subtle rustic character" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review

A sumptuous experience. The nose unfolds with sexy, rich aromas of plum, fig and dark cocoa, with dried herbal undertones and a plenitude of mace, clove and nutmeg. The palate is a luxurious, unfurling roll of velvet, with punchy blue fruit and chocolate mousse developing into a more savoury, charcuterie-inflected mid-palate. Mouthwatering, nape-tingling finish.

Astralabe was the love-child of medieval French scholars Abelard and Heloise, who grew up in the abbey with his mother, after she had become a nun, and never met his father. As the male “child” of the family, Astralabe shares his father’s blend of Grenache-predominance.