86+ 2011 Lafage Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes (Cotes Catalanes) 8/2/13 ($14)
100% Carignan 15% alc
Color: Deep purple black cherry. (3.0) Bouquet: Fresh, tart cherry and red plum with some earth. Fruit is ripe with charred oak. (2.5) Body: Solid middleweight plus with very good fruit and acidity. (2.5) Flavor: Charred oak muddles any distinction it might have, but fruit still shines. (2.5) Finish: Parallels flavor with bitter charred oak lingering with the fruit. (2.5)
Overall: This has very good, ripe fruit and acidity with pleasant Southern French earth complementing. Unfortunately, there's a somewhat overbearing charred oak treatment here that muddles its stronger points. May improve with time if the oak can integrate into the fruit. Still well worth the price, but not my style. I was expecting a lot more after the 91pt Parker score. (13.0)
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