Lovely nose with  secondary notes of earth and pencil shavings dominating ripe red berry/red currant fruit. A nice hint of cedar also makes an appearance in this complex bouquet. On the palate it's fresh and the acidity level is high. Tannins are evident but smooth and the fruit is red and ripe: cherries move to the fore. The secondary notes include earth and wood.  Nicely balanced with some really alluring herbal notes on the finish.

Here's a great example of a winery up-ending the received wisdom of France's multi-layered hierarchy of wine quality: this is a lowly Vin de Pays - pretty much the most basic level in French wine. However that non-Appellation Controlee designation means the winemaker is free to combine cabernet sauvignon and syrah - not allowed in any AOC, but sometimes blended together in the New World. I've had some of those versions (usually cheap) and this mops the floor with them. Probably the most expensive Vin de Pays I've ever had and by far the best. This wine, though it's edging towards $20, is a bargain.