Marlene N° 3 VdF 2010

Marlène Soria's approach cannot be praised often enough. Bringing wines to the market only with the first drinking maturity is a great service for all of us. Marlène No. 3 is made from Syrah & Grenache. It is aged in cement and large wooden barrels. The nascent wine is given plenty of time and space to develop.

Dark ruby red, subtle brown reflections

On the nose, in addition to the first hints of maturity, it exudes a distinct Mediterranean charm. The garrique is unmistakable. Rosemary, thyme, sage, pine groves. Dried plums and figs nestle around these ethereal aromas. Ripe plums, mulberries and blackberries join in. The hints of ripeness inevitably bring to mind classic Rioja reservas. A little tobacco, cedar, black pepper and cinnamon rub round it off successfully. The nose promises great pleasure in the glass.

And it meets these expectations effortlessly. Compact and dense it shows on the palate. A soft tannin structure and a gripping acidity provide stability on the palate. With a noticeable astringency, it provides plenty of tipping movements when refilling. It really makes you want to drink and thirsty. The flavors spread broadly across the palate. Never cheesy, always perfectly balanced. The Marlène No. 3 shows itself very fleshy and clearly benefits from its still amazingly present acidity. Despite all the warmth in the south, it reveals coolness, precision and graphite notes. At the same time it offers a salty component. In the reverberation, the spice comes through fully.