Other Reds

From such a fabulous diversity of soils, Abbaye Sylva Plana produces several Cuvees, all expressing the Faugères bouquet and complexity. Made from Cinsault along with younger vines of Grenache and Carignan, Les Novices is a fruity and fresh, fleshy wine with just enough of southern and garrigues accents.
Abbaye Sylva Plana

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar-"Saturated red. Mineral-inflected cherry and red berry aromas are complicated by black tea, licorice and cracked pepper. Juicy, incisive red and dark fruit flavors are braced by zesty acidity and pick up a touch of violet with air. Oak spice and floral notes emerge on the sweet, focused finish. Complex now, but this will age on its balance.

An irresistible, fragrant, purple red delight, with wild raspberry flavors and surprising depth. This remarkable value is the result of a charismatic but maligned grape getting the royal treatment from one of Hungary’s best producers. Blue Danube Importer

91 points The Wine Advocate:The grapes for the 2007 Almirez came from 30-year-old ungrafted head pruned vines. The wine was aged for 12 months in one-year-old French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it displays an expressive nose of spice box, espresso, plum, and blackberry compote. Full-bodied on the palate with layers of savory black fruits, lots of spice, and enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for 1-2 years, it will drink beautifully from 2011 to 2019. It is an excellent value that over-delivers in a big way. Jay Miller