Les Massales, 2017

Alcohol: 13.5% Bottle size: 75cl Age of Vines: 65/75 years Les Massales comes from 0.50ha of vines split equally between the Côte-Brune schist terroirs of Leyat and Bonnivière. Stéphane says: "Bonnivière gives freshness and length from deeper soils on the plateau, whereas Leyat produces mature, rich wine from its steep, south facing slope". Destalked 20%, with a beautiful, clear-cut colour that runs right to the edge (as with Rozier), there is an initial reserve on the nose, with dense back fruit emerging. On the palate it is impeccably balanced and there is a sumptuous stamp of cassis fruit, with a stylish, ready flow, a hint of graphite and fine grained tannins on the finish. For drinking now to 2028.