France's wild frontier

This is a deliciously juicy, plush Grenache from Roussillon talents, Coume del Mas. It has sweet, sweet berry fruit on the nose which is laced with liquorice, pepper, violets, and crushed raspberries. Its upfront juiciness is counterbalanced by a satisfying bitterness that accompanies the ripe fruit on the palate. Silky tannins and a supple, fine finish.

This barrel fermented Grenache Gris from a brilliant estate in Roussillon delivers a level of precision and elegance one wouldn't normally associate with this wild southwest corner of the French coast. Coume del Mas’s wines exemplify the terrific quality of still dry wines emerging from a region previously associated with sweet, fortified ones. Perfumed with almonds and an exotic touch from some salty reduction, its well-judged oak gives weight and balance, and rounds out this silky, delicious white.

Le Soula sits at 660m up in the eastern Pyrenées, which its makers refer to as ‘terroir d’altitude’. Talented winemaker Gérard Gauby sought this cooler climate up in the foothills for its freshness, and since 2001 has been producing some captivating, long-lived, and characterful wines from this unique outpost. This blend of Carignan, Syrah and Grenache is sappy, juicy and well balanced, with notes of tapenade and leather. Decant before serving to let it open up.

Tempier has stood as a preeminent domaine of Provence for decades, putting Bandol on the fine wine map. 75% Mourvèdre in the blend gives an intense, dark perfume evocative of the wild garrigue scrub, luminous skies, and sweet ripe fruit from this beautiful corner of the Mediterranean coast. 2016 is a brilliant vintage for the domaine, with wonderfully balanced wines that will evolve great complexity.

This domaine is recognised as one of the finest in the south of France, and has emerged as one of the most sought after names in the fine wine market. Its blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Counoise, Mourvèdre, and Syrah achieves a formidable concentration and intensity in this unique corner of the Languedoc. Full bodied, with the aroma of wild herbs, dark berries and spice, this will evolve magnificent complexity with time. Rightly considered among the greatest wines of France.

Michel Chapoutier is a towering talent in the Northern Rhône, producing some of France’s greatest wines. Quick to recognise the potential in this southern corner, his investment and dedication here make for a Roussillon red of excellent value. With notes of garrigue and fresh berries on the nose, a hint of tapenade, and focussed grippy tannins, this is a charming wine from Chapoutier.

This is surely one of the quirkiest blends around. Its backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small dash of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, echoes a classical Bordeaux. But its peppering of Tannat, Pinot Noir and a string of rare varieties set this wine apart. Add to that the wild, garrigue-strewn landscape of the Hérault, and you have something altogether unique. The tense and sappy freshness of this 2019, with defined, textural tannins, are marks of yet another brilliant vintage here.