Maison Cassagne et Vitailles, “Nimalaya”, Vieux Carignan 2020, Vin de France

The wine has a ruby color of medium intensity. The nose is bright, pronounced and juicy. The bouquet expresses richness, maturity and complexity. It reveals notes of small fresh fleshy red fruits (cranberries, raspberry, red currant, bigarreau cherry), acidulous black fruits (fresh blackcurrant, blueberry), cranberry syrup, as well as floral touches (elderflower, cherry flower, peony, rose petals, lily) and subtle herbaceous touches (fresh tea leaf, bay leaf, thyme-lemon, liquorice) and a slight smoky note and a hint toasted almond. On the palate, the attack is enveloping and silky. The wine expresses  pronounced rich flavors of juicy red fruits (bigarreau cherry, morello cherry, red plum, black plum, quetche, red currant jam), underlined by subtle floral notes, very slightly smoky, as well as leafy notes of fresh tea and dried flowers. The body of the wine is fleshy (medium (+) level), but refined. The tannins are chewy and velvety, with a fine grain and an elegant  but powerful structure. Crunchy acidity (medium (+) level) in a very long and juicy finish. A nice balance, elegance, roundness and power.