Domaine des Masques, Exception Syrah, Méditerranée IGP, France 2020

A 100% Syrah on mark and clay-limestone soils at 500m on the Cengle plateau at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, which extends over 18km between the départements of Bouches-du-Rhône and Var in the south of France. Fresh and fragrant, lovely purity and delicacy to this, despite clearly ripe strawberry and red cherry fruity and lots of wild herbs, tapenade and garrigue notes. Tannins are upfront and nicely filling with lots of sweet spiced edges, but the emphasis is more on the fruit with the wet stone, liquorice elements coming in towards the finish. Feels a touch high alcohol, there's definitely a sense of warmth at the close of play, but it works being full and still fresh.