Brett happens

Languedoc La Clape 2010, Château des Karantes ($25.65, 11476629)
Syrah (60%), Mourvèdre (30%) and Grenache (10%). Manually harvested, sorted, transferred by gravity to wood fermentation vats. Matured 18 months in 300- and 600-litre oak barrels. 14.5% ABV.
Plum, blackberry, turned earth, spice, hint of oak. A fleshy, big-boned wine. Ripe bordering on jammy fruit, chewy tannins and lots of acidity. A whiff of alcohol and tooth-coating astringency mark the chocolate- and licorice-scented finish. A bit stolid for now. Cellar time will bring some complexity and integration (dunno about elegance or finesse). That said, lovers of big wines will probably love this.