Domaine Sainte-Anne Cotes du Rhones Villages Saint Gervais, 2005

This is my favorite cuvee of Domaine Sainte Anne, now known as Les Rouvieres rather than Saint Gervais. Unlike most CDR Villages wines, it is 60 to 70% Mourvedre plus 15 to 20% Syrah and 15 to 20% Grenache, all from vines planted in the early 1960s. It rightly commands a premium price and needs significant cellar time.

Bright crimson, surprisingly deep for an 18-year-old wine. Bright cherries, red berries, violets, cassis. Round structure, well balanced for fruit, acid, tannin. Grainy tannins at first but with an hour of aeration, they seem to fade away, leaving full access to the lovely red berry flavors. Lots of spicy Mourvedre nuances on the long finish. I love it.