Kermit Lynch Côtes du Rhône (75cl, 14.5%)

Kermit Lynch Côtes du Rhône is an unfiltered Southern Rhône red blend built around Grenache, with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Marselan and Cinsault. Fruit is drawn primarily from vineyards around Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, and each vintage is assembled from roughly two dozen individual tanks sourced from multiple small vignerons. The wine is bottled unfiltered. The nose shows ripe black cherry, spiced red plum, black olive, wild garrigue herbs, lavender and stony minerality. The palate is juicy and generous, with sweet dark berries, cherry, licorice, dried herbes de Provence and a savory undercurrent. Tannins are present but easygoing, with a slight violet-floral lift. The finish is medium in length with lingering spice, dried violet and a stony mineral edge.