This will be labelled Pézenas in the future. 50% Grenache, 20% each of Syrah and Carignan, and 10% Mourvèdre; with half the Syrah and Mourvèdre given a year in old barrels. Very ripe - the locals would say “confit” -  scents, very perfumed, with appealingly savoury secondary notes. Gorgeously lush core of warm and velvety cooked fruit, and a long and spicy finish. Splendid accompaniment to a hearty roast or casserole.  Now-2012

Product Code: TRI407

Simon Coulshaw, an Englishman brought up in the wine culture of France (but trained in winemaking at Plumpton College in Sussex) looked at over 100 estates before these 24 hectares of hillside vines called to him in 2006. His land stretches from yellow schist vineyards within the newly created Grand Cru of Pézenas, to vines in Faugères, on the plateau at 300 metres above his little cellar in the tiny village of Roquessels. With Monica, his Spanish wife, and a child, he is now putting down roots, and was delighted when Le Portail (see below) won the trophy for the best entry-level (i.e. unoaked) Faugères in the appellation at a local blind tasting last summer, judged by oenologues and journalists.