Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Vin de France
As experimental as Philippe Formentin has been at his winery, Opi d'Aqui, this cuvée stems from his love of mad science-ing. Canons, a French term traditionally used to describe a modest, easy-to-drink wine, is kind of deceptive in that it is very easy-drinking but also undergoes a winemaking process that can be described as anything but easy.
A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Cinsault from vineyards in two different parts of the Languedoc. To save you from an extremely lengthy read, both varietals undergo 2 weeks of carbonic maceration (yup, that same process famously used in Beaujolais) with the CInsault continuing its fermentation in stainless steel, while the Syrah is finished in neutral oak barrel. No additional fining, filtering or SO2 is used - which fans of Opi will recognize as the de facto mantra at the winery.
Bright and lively with acidity for days. Extra extra fruity with all that sweet, zippy strawberry, cherry and just ripe plum over top a slight hint of herbes de Provence.
A scarce 500 cases of production.