Bottled summer of 2013, this Syrah-led blend has perfumed, floral and red berry aromas of medium intensity. Elegant pepper and aroma replays show up on the palate that is full-bodied with a very smooth mouthfeel. Mouth-watering acids and excellent length on the finish. Silky smooth. Blended with Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Tasted Nov/2013. Score: 90+ pts

Really fine St Chinian here from H&B. The excellent fruit is bolstered by notes of black olives, pepper, herbs and dried meats. Has really well-judged acidity and tannin. A refined, yet still authentic St Chinian for sure. Drinking very nicely now, should keep a few more years. Tasted Feb 2016.

Somewhat better than the Minervois, H&B's Saint-Chinian, a Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre blend, is another complex, complicated, and ultimately challenging wine. It opens with a stunning burst of dark fruit, notably blackberries and plums, deepening with leather, black pepper, licorice, vanilla, baking spice, herbs, and a driving current of minerality. But then it flattens out, revealing a core of austerity, the initial burst fading, and so while there's a lot going on, rooted deeply in its terroir, it proves to be a rather severe and unforgiving effort overall.

Definition of textbook but boring wine. Everything is in the right place, you can tell this is well crafted. But it's too well crafted. Great weight, texture and freshness, yet is a very forgettable experience. Too well made if that makes any sense.