Winemaker Notes:  This rich red is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Once again, this long vintage favored the later ripening Grenache and Mourvèdre that makes up the largest part of this blend, so this bottling ranks among the best Espérance that we have ever released. All the extra groundwork that now makes up their standard operating practices help to yield a rich, medium-bodied wine with aromas and flavors of ultra-ripe strawberries, black cherries, blood orange, and tart raspberries, mixed in with the spiciness of forest-floor, cinnamon and vanilla and other baking spices from the 10% new French Oak employed in the 18 month élevage. Though this wine will benefit with 1-5 years of further bottle aging, it is immensely drinkable right now with balanced tannins and a long finish.