Charles Smith K Vintners Charlotte 2014

The 2014 Charlotte is showing very well indeed, opening in the glass with a youthful nose of ripe cherries, rose hip, tapenade and subtle spices that I suspect will become considerably more dramatic with a bit of bottle age. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and expansive, with considerable mid-palate volume framed by a fine-grained but chewy structure. Concentrated and powerful but also succulent and lively, it will reward a couple of years of patience and show well for a decade. It's an inspired blend of 43% Grenache, 24% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah and 13% Roussanne.

A blend of 43% Grenache, 24% Mourvédre, 20% Syrah, and 13% Roussanne, the aromas show a lot of subtlety, with notes of raspberry, garrigue, stem, pepper and moist earth. The palate brings a compelling sense of texture that is absolutely swoon-worthy, running just a touch warm

Broad and rich, with layered flavors of plum, tobacco, pear, orange peel and roasted meat that come together on a savory finish, persisting against polished tannins. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Counoise, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul. Drink now through 2022.