Grange des Peres Rouge 2014

It took dynamite and bulldozers to clear the way for Laurent Vaillé to plant his vines but, in Grange des Pères, he has created one of the finest terroir-driven cult wineries in France. Bottled as Vin de Pays de l’Hèrault, the Rouge is a unique blend of 40% each Syrah and Mourvèdre with 10% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Counoise from glacial scree and limestone vineyards. The 2014 is dark fruited and slightly feral, bursting with notes of underbrush, garrigue, animal hide and black cherries. On the palate it is rich and concentrated yet finely balanced and elegant, with a lilt of chalky tannins and a wonderfully long, mineral-tinged finish.