Trévallon Rouge IGP Alpilles, Saint-Etienne du Grès, 2014

The 2014 from Trévallon is perhaps the most classically composed of recent vintages from this estate: good elegance in the Southern French sense, with the Cabernet adding structure and definition, and the Syrah contributing its characteristic smoke and garrigue without excess. There is lovely balance here, and a precision that recalls the best Left Bank Bordeaux in its freshness and linearity. The tannins are long and fine, the finish clean and mineral. A vintage for those who prefer their Trévallon on the classical rather than the generous end of the scale.