2015 Boulevard Napoléon `L’Angely` Carignan

Named after the street the winery is located in, in the village of La Livinière, Minervois in south western France.  Boulevard Napoléon is the partnership between restaurant owner Trevor Gulliver (St. John, Putney Bridge, Fire Station in Waterloo) and winemaker Benjamin Darnault.

Carignan was the single most common vine variety planted in the world's most important wine producer, France until it was overtaken by Merlot at the end of the 20th century. Old-vine Carignan grapes, fully ripened on infertile soils in the warm summers of southwestern France produce by far the best Carignan wine and Boulevard Napoléon `L’Angely` Carignan is a fantastic example of what the underrated variety Carignan is all about when planted in the correct spot and handled with care.

Dark translucent ruby red.  The nose, after a good aeration, expresses candied red fruits and spices.  The mouth is round and full and the finish is intense with a touch of mocha and chalky mineral flavours.  A very classy Carignan.