Grange des Peres Rouge Magnum 2011

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 2011 is vibrant and bright, offering up notes of black cherry, raspberry, dried herbs, liquorice and cracked black pepper. Medium-bodied with lightly chalky tannins, this is perfect for drinking now but has enough textural fibre and inner complexity to live a few more years.