La Bastide Saint Dominique – Les Hespérides 2017 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The nose is intense and offers power, a small elegance as well as a fine grain. It reveals notes of juicy/ripe blackberry, bigarreau cherry, small notes of small wild fruits associated with touches of laurel berries, liquorice, camphor and a very discreet hint of pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy/acidulous frame, a fine tension, gourmandize, a fine pulpiness as well as a fine freshness and a good structure. On the palate this wine expresses notes of bright cherry, crushed raspberry, small notes of blackberry associated with small touches of small wild fruits, wild plum, violet, laurel as well as very fine hints of liquorice. Tannins are well-built and structuring. Very fine hints of cocoa and caramelization on the finish/persistence.