What a lovely wine.  Grown on classic slate terraces peppered with decades old organic  vines at 320 m in southern France, this is a GSM you really must try.

The Grenache and Syrah are grown on north and east facing slopes, while the Mourvèdre vines face south to soak up the warmth.  They’ve been growing grapes and making wine in Faugères since Roman times, but this Domaine was established not so long ago by Brigitte Chevalier who moved there from Bordeaux.  Her vineyards are certified organic and she harvests everything carefully by hand.  The AOC is located to the west of Montpellier and north of Perpignan, inland from the Mediterranean.

On the eyes, it’s a medium plus ruby and the nose shows intensely fragrant raspberry with violets and crunchy, dried herb, mint, clove and a deep, schist-like minerality.

The palate is dry with juicy acidity and an elegant body with solid tannins.  Flavours show raspberry and tayberry with purple violets and garrigue – heavy on the rosemary and thyme – major sandalwood, and light dutch licorice.  The stoney minerality adds elegance.

WSET Very Good – great balance and very fresh, not to mention a smoking deal for the quality of the wine.  My one complaint is the weird cork with plastic conglomerate.  We enjoyed it with risotto.  Highly recommended.