Big alcohol, at 15 per cent. So, yes, it's ripe and dense, delivering what many American consumers (and critics) in particular love. Yet it comes from southern France, where you can't get away with just lazy, sweet fruit and big body. There's plenty of licorice and spice amid the thick plum-currant and candy-store cherry fruit. In truth, I suspect some of that "spice" is just the alcohol talking and not a contribution from peppery syrah, but let's not quibble too much with a good thing. Available in Ontario.