R. Parker (91/100)
The nose of the 2011 NUS was easily recognizable as a sweet, red Mediterranean wine with aromas of dark olives, tomato juice, thyme and rosemary and a touch of honey with violets emerging after some time in the glass. It's a rather unusual blend as it's mostly Garnacha, but has some 20% Viognier and 10% Syrah. The grapes are dried on straw mats for 10-20 days before fermenting the Garnacha dry and the Viognier and Syrah are a mistelle. The blend matured for 16 months in 60-liter oak barrels. The palate is sweet, but I'd have never guessed 250 grams of sugar as there is good freshness and acidity to compensate the sweetness. 2,218. Unusual and full of character. 375ml bottles produced.