2015 Domaine de la Réserve d'O "La Réserve d'O" Terrasses du Larzac

This engaging, full-bodied red has a plump, polished feel to the licorice and orange zest notes lining the raspberry and currant flavors at the core. Integrated, moderate tannins linger, with mineral and floral aromas on the finish. Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. Drink now through 2021. (GS)

I still rank my meeting with Marie and Fred Chauffray as one of the great "gets" in my career as a wine buyer for K&L. We were introduced to each other through our mutual friend Francoise Antech-Gazeau of Maison Antech, one of our sparkling wine producers from the south of France. The Chauffray's and Francoise are a part of an association of growers known as the Vinifilles, or wine women. When I first tasted their wine at a Vinifilles event, I had to meet them. So a couple of years later and a few hundred cases now sold, we have just landed the 2015 vintage, one of the most eagerly anticipated yet. The wine begins as its normal charming self filled with a savory nose of roasted plum, black cherries, allspice and clove. It has an almost Cote Rotie expressiveness. On the palate, the wine carries tremendous weight but no heaviness. Like most of the 2015s of the south, it is a little riper and a little more polished than previous vintages. Even though its more concentrated, the wine holds it balance beautifully and I would begin drinking with aplomb, but that concentration will yield some longevity and I only see years of development and complexity to come. So, adding to my collection of Reserve d'O wines, I will happily drink half my case now and watch the rest evolve gracefully for many more years to come. Bravo Marie and Fred! I am still so grateful our paths crossed.