Domaine La Florane "Terre Pourpre" Côtes du Rhône Villages Visan 2016

80% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre

Organic and biodynamic

93 Robert Parker: "The 2016 Cotes du Rhone Villages Visan Terre Pourpre was vinified in oak and bottled in April 2018 after spending a year in foudres and demi-muids and another six months in tank. It's dominated by crisp black cherry fruit—crunchy, fresh and acid-driven yet ripe at the same time. Serve it blind to your friends who think they don't like Grenache and watch the light bulb come on."

Tasting notes: Fleshy, muscular, supple full body. About as visceral a wine as it gets, practically oozing black cherry flavours and rounding off to a velvety, plush finish.

Drink with: Great with savoury foods, grilled meats, tomato sauces. Also great with smoky Chinese wok hei flavours and soy sauce. Serve at 18C.

Winemaking notes: Terre Pourpre or "Purple Earth" takes its name from the soil on which the grapes are grown, with grey pebbles on crimson surface soil and clay rich subsoils. From vines grown at 400 metres of altitude, which keeps the freshness in the wine. Ageing is done for 18 months in large 600 litre oak barrels (demi-muids).