Apropos of recent threads regarding varietal labelling and S. French Cabs, we opened tonight a bottle of:
2001 Mas Carlot VDP D'Oc (80% Cabernet 20% Syrah, from front label) nose: deep berry fruit and garrigue palate: rich, fruity, blackberry, smoke, slight gaminess, firm acidity
Chosen to accompany some BBQ ribs, this wines proved to be quite ready and up to the task of pairing with smoked pork. Although it was not shy of fruit, it steered well clear of "fruit bomb" territory and proved to be a good food wine. It appears quite ready to drink at this point, though I would not put some further improvement beyond it. $11 at time of purchase.
Mark Lipton