In the Languedoc, hot arid summers and the nearby cooling Mediterranean influence have posed favorable conditions for viniculture for centuries. The region is host to many great, but overlooked and undervalued appellations: Corbieres, Fitou, St. Chinian, and Maury, to name just a few. These are hearty Syrah, Grenache Noir and Carignan ancient vine-based wines that mirror the rugged terroir. Domaine Clavel is a critically acclaimed winery and a cult favorite among lovers of hearty southern French wines. They are widely admired for producing great value wines of remarkable richness and intensity.

The 2002 Domaine Clavel “Les Garrigues” was produced from equal parts Syrah and Grenache. It is a top quality wine: purple—almost black in the glass—with a creamy raspberry liqueur-scented nose that leads to its mouth-coating, richly structured and profoundly well-balanced concentration… or rather palate saturating personality. Tangy blackberries, tar, plum tones, mint and smoked meats are all present in this muscular palate bomb. The finish lingers for a few long minutes after the first taste and the wine opens nicely in the glass—with deeper earth tones filling out its black fruit flavors. It is ideal with roasted lamb seasoned with rosemary and garlic. Also, it is a perfect match with cassoulet, rabbit stew, and spicy boar sausage.

—Donald