| Score: |
93 WE.
"Loosely translated to “The Brambles,” Les Ronces is a sour blonde ale brewed with boysenberries that's aged in oak barrels. It pours a stunning deep red-violet color, with a small pinkish head that falls fast. The boysenberry tones are front and center on the nose, though they're closely followed by prominent scents of vinegar, tart berries, leather, tobacco and oak. The bright, juicy palate showcases more of the same, starting off quite funky and sour, almost like berry yogurt and sourdough bread. It then evolves to boast earthy, brambly black berry flavors that lead seamlessly into the lightly toasted and sweet-spiced finish. This is remarkably balanced and easily enjoyable now, though it should mature and develop more complex characteristics with some more time in bottle." Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 10/1/2016 |