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Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Rouge, Le Beret Bleu, 2022

Young Sébastien Clement runs this domaine, having gained experience in the northern Rhône, Portugal and Australia. He immediately converted to organic and bio-dynamic (certified by Demeter) viticulture.  The vineyards lie in and around the “other” Châteauneuf – the village of Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne. Lying just to the east of Avignon, in large part it shares a similar terroir to its more famous and much larger appellation to the north, i.e. the vineyards are covered with rounded pudding stones, weathered deposits from the Rhône river. It’s a historic terroir, the wines respected for centuries.

"Garriguettes seem to be yet one more producer embracing the new dawn of Cinsault. A naked, unplugged, masque-less wine that tastes of earth and grapes and grass and herbs. It's unpretentious but far from uncomplicated. Pliant tannins that feel soft at first then grip up, like finely ground chalk. It's ready, immediate and charming, but long and pure. 100% irresistible. Outrageously low price! VGV" 16.5/20, 2023-2026, Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com, 1st December 2023

80% in concrete, 20% in old barrels. Almost all Cinsault – and delivering all the pretty red fruit one would expect from this variety. Vivid transparent purple. Appealing ripeness of raspberries and glacé cherries. Tons of fruit. Pure; and delicious for immediate consumption. Now-2026