Domaine l'Oratoire Saint Martin Cairanne Reserve des Seigneurs

At 10 years of age, this Cotes du Rhone Villages is near or at its peak. The color is deep and dark with only slight browning around the edges. Unlike this domaine's Cairanne Prestige, the Reserve des Seigneurs contains some Syrah, and it seems more dominant in the nose at this stage. Ripe blue and black berries, spice, garrigue, and a hint of shoe polish--very aromatic, almost to the point of volatility. On the palate, ripe blueberry fruit is dominant at the front; then warm Grenache charm takes over on the mid-palate and continues through the long finish. Complexity, power and sweet berry charm. Good right now and should carry on for a year or so.