This wine is produced by vigneron Nicholas Renaud who came to winemaking from teaching in 2008.  He works from 18 ha of 70-80 year old vines, 80% of which he rents.

The soil of the Les Terres Blanches vineyard is very sandy with a little clay and is subjected to the mistral winds.  He uses very little intervention – including no fining or filtering and no gum arabic in the cellar to hide tannins.  With that, we are getting a real deal wine that shows sincere terroir.

This wine is made from Carignan and Grenache and is deep purple with aromas of ripe plum, pine needle, rosemary, sage and thyme.  The palate is dry with lightly green tannins and medium plus body.  The alcohol is high but unobtrusive.  Flavours show more Italian plum with intense garrigue, leather saddle, bacon and pepperoni.

The finish shines on this elegantly complex WSET Very Good wine (purchased from Garagiste Wines, Seattle).