2010 - Domaine de Trevallon Rouge

I am utterly blown away by the 2010 Alpilles Rouge, a re-release from the winery’s cellar. Still so fresh and vibrant, the 2010 is just stunning in its beauty today. Time in bottle has brought with it lovely complexity, especially in the aromatics. On the palate, though, the 2010 is so young. Swaths of tannin and bright acids suggest the 2010 still needs time to be at its best. As for the wine’s pedigree and quality, those are unmistakably world-class. Readers who can find the 2010 should not hesitate. It’s one of the rare values in fine, ageworthy red wine. This bottle was released from the domaine in 2020.

Trévallon is half Syrah and half Cabernet Sauvignon, both grown on north-facing slopes and both late harvested. In this vintage, unusually, the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked before the Syrah. Deep cherry red. Both sweet and meaty on the nose. Almost a syrupy dark-red fruit sweetness, plus a darker more rocky quality. On the palate, very meaty, broad and sweet-fruited. A bruiser but the tannins are firm and dense without aggression. Big and beefy. (JH)