Prieure Saint Jean Bebian, Prieure Rouge

Prieure Saint Jean Bebian, Prieure RougeDark red. Pungent, nuanced nose combines spiced cherry, blackberry, violet, minerals, black pepper and nutmeg. Supple, fruity and stylish, with bright acidity and a flavor of dark chocolate complicated by a strong component of baking spices (nutmeg, mace). Ultimately a wine of modest flesh but very well made and refined. Finishes with firm, dusty tannins. Rather like a leaner styled Cote Rotie. My sample of the 1997 La Chapelle de Bebian, the estate

2 ha parcel of 35+ year old vines)

but retains structural liquorice and cocoa-infused tannins

whose personal project came to an end with the 2019 vintage

earth and softly wooded nose

focused and velvety finish

with a real sense of translucent beauty

as well as the forward

this is pretty rather than deep

not to mention real pedigree

A more perplexing offering

ultra-fresh and distinctly floral nose reflects notes of various white orchard fruit aromas

hazelnut and white flowers