This Grenache-based blend always shows raspberry and blackberry fruit, with an interesting gamey nuance and a hint of liquorice. Warming and characterful. Now-2012

Product Code: SER307

Sébastien Fillon only became a vigneron in 2006 at the age of thirty, but already his wines have won rave reviews in the French wine press. Most of the vines here are on the slopes around St. Jean, up to 350 metres in altitude, where cool currents come down from the Larzac plateau, and there is a marked diurnal change of temperature. This lends a lively freshness to the wines. Furthermore the landscape is remarkably diverse: there are amazing red volcanic soils, the terres rouges known locally as “ruffe”, but also schist on the slope and galets in places. 15 different parcels, all vinified separately, give Sébastien plenty of scope for interesting blends.

Le Clos is based on 40% each of a local clone of Cinsaut (the “Oeillade”) and Syrah, plus 20% Grenache, with more substance than usual in the latest 2008 vintage. La Blaca is 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache, unoaked, beautifully black-fruited.  We return to Les Maros, also unoaked, 80% from low-yielding Grenache, with Syrah and Carignan. Sébastien’s top wine is Florilège, 60% Grenache, and 40% Syrah in barrel, which is just
scrumptious.