2018 Domaine des Masques, Syrah Cuvee Exception

ABOUT THE WINE
An olive-grove since the time of the ancient Gauls, the plateau near Aix-en-Provence upon which Le Domaine des Masques rests was settled by the Knights Templar of the Order of Provence in the Middle Ages. Vines were first planted in 1992, and in 2003 the estate was bought by Carl and Sophie Mestdagh. The vineyards are tended according to organic principles, and this is a certified organic wine. With duties in the cellar overseen by the famous Rhone winemaker, Yves Cuilleron, the estate is in excellent hands, and producing exceptional wines.

TASTING NOTES
Destemmed and fermented without pressing, using natural yeast; the wine undergoes extensive pump-overs to extract tannin and colour, and then aged in barrel for a year prior to release. Rich, full-bodied and concentrated, with blackcurrant, blackberry and oak-spice on the palate. The finish is punctuated by white-pepper and plum nuances.

FOOD PAIRING
Excellent with feathered game or a vegetarian stew.

FRIARWOOD SAYS
The region has a long history of growing medicinal plants; and has always been a haven for healers, herbalists and sorcerers; masco in the Provencal dialect, which have given the estate its name.