The Cuvée Au Coeur de Ventabren from Domaine Pique-Basse comes from plots of Syrah planted in 1975 in the foothills of the Ventabren massif at a place called "Croix de Cornu" with clay soil (a mixture of yellow and white marls) naturally giving a low yield of 30 hectoliters per hectare. The color is dark, almost black, with blood-red highlights. The nose opens with smoky notes of black pepper and blond tobacco, followed by mineral aromas and well-integrated wood. The palate, all spicy length, is perfectly matched by the freshness of smooth, taut, still-tight tannins.