With its meaty-peppery notes, this comes across initially like a rustic Syrah-based blend from the Midi. But then the fleshy blue/purple fruit and touch of graphite, elegantly presented, pull it back towards Bordeaux, so it ends up like the dichotomous Cahors that it is, more approachable than most. It's the luscious Merlot that softens the blend, the Malbec providing ample structure, and while the deeper flavours end too quickly, leaving cherry tartness and rough, gritty tannins, and while the delicate dichotomy breaks apart, the length is decent and the overall package is rich and compelling.