Based on 45% Carignan with 35% Grenache and 20% Syrah, all in barrel, about 20% new. Dense and brooding on the nose but the palate opens out dramatically, displaying black cherries, spice and liquorice. Real old vine concentration, but also smooth and beautifully mannered: Bruno talks of “grande finesse et grande souplesse”. Splendid and developing so well. Now-2015

Product Code: DGA309

Bruno Schenk’s vines are on classic argilo-calcaire soils, with some sandstone, in the wild hills between Cucugnan and Padern, surrounded by amazing hill-top Cathar castles. It’s surprisingly cool here in these vineyards - Bruno was told when he arrived from Alsace that the land was only good for white and rosé - and this gives great finesse and freshness to all the wines. Like Yves Falmet he prefers minimal chemical treatments to extensive organic spraying, but he stops all spraying in mid-July, and makes wine with natural yeasts and without using any sulphur at all until bottling - so he qualifies as a “natural” winemaker. He attributes the amazingly deep colours of his rosé and reds to this practice.

While vintages inevitably move on, we are delighted to have more of the spectacular 2009 Cuvée des Quarante to offer.