M. Chapoutier Banyuls Traditionnel 2012 (50cl, 16%)

M. Chapoutier Banyuls Traditionnel 2012 is a fortified sweet red from Roussillon, made from Grenache Noir. The grapes are hand-harvested when very ripe, then destemmed and crushed, with a long maceration and an addition of alcohol to favour the extraction of aromas and tannins. The vines grow on terraced vineyards of old mica-schist. The wine was aged for 8 months in vat in a reducing environment, then given a further 3 months after bottling before release. Its colour runs from garnet red to mahogany. The nose is powerful, moving between black fruit and red berries, with a fresh lift and a subtle note of cocoa. It comes in a 50cl bottle at 16% abv.