Minervois Roc Suzadou Domaine de Courbissac 2016

Minervois Roc Suzadou Domaine de Courbissac 2015 Natural wine, pure ‘Terroir’, Grenache, Carignan, soft red fruits, animal character, Herbes de Provence, round and voluptuous. This wine comes from 70 to 90 years old vines on clay and limetsone soils. Often Grenache from the region is aged in smaller oak barrels but this wine matures in large Foudre. That helps to retain the pure terroir features of the wine. The fruit is soft and redolent of wild strawberries and forest fruits, the palate is full but very fresh, a very long length follows. A gorgeous regional French red, for grilled and roast meat and veg, it is a winner.

Brunnhilde Claux runs the tiny 2.

5 hectare farm of Domaine de Courbissac in Cesseras, the heart of the Minervois. It is a region famous for its schist soils and deep, rich but sometimes rustic wines. Brunnhilde has uncharacteristic 'Terroir', Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan on clay and limestone and Syrah on sandstone soils. This unique 'Terroir', creates elegant Minervois wines. The work in the cellar is minimal save for a rigorous selection of only the plumpest, juiciest berries for the top 'Cuvee'. Fermentation is spontaneous, either whole bunch or partially de-stalked and without any oxygen. The fermentation is all in barrels and the wines are naturally clarified and matured in barrels. These are pure southern French wines at the best and most elegant. Excellent value for money for the quality and purity of the wine and these bottles will age well too.