Plaisance Penavayre "Le Rouge" Fronton 2020

Vin Chicago: 91+ Points

(5/2024) The little-known region of Fronton lies roughly 30 minutes by car north of Toulouse, in the southwest of France. Here, the small Plaisance Penavayre estate produces delicious, rustic southern French wines, including this juicy, earthy, and wild red, blending 68% of the local Negrette with 24% Syrah and 8% Cabernet Franc. Le Rouge leads with juiciness and attractive light black fruit flavors and, with air, reveals smoky notes of bramble bush, cured meat, licorice, and flowery herbs. It's soft and bright in the mouth, with a savory chew on the complex, seductive finish. It is an intriguing, organically farmed wine that is really unique to this part of the world.