Château Villerambert-Julien L'Opèra 2004

I am getting quite fond of wines produced under the Appellation Minervois, so picked up this relatively cheap ($20) blend for dinner. Made from 40% Syrah, 35% Carignan, 20% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, and apparently grown on soils with marble used to construct the Trianon Opera House in Paris, hence its name, the bouquet initially was quite strong with alcohol and fruit, but did settle down to cherry, plum, strawberry, sage, cumin and hints of vanilla on the very last glass. On the palate again initially quite strong, with rich fruit and chewey tannins, but again it settled slowly to a soft elegant balance of fruit and oak, velvety tannins and a lovely dry spicy finish. Decanting certainly recommended, unless you prefer a rather rustic introduction.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100