The domaine is situated just outside the picturesque village of Douzens, which is very close to the ancient city of Carcassonne. If you haven’t been to this part of France I cannot recommend it highly enough—the landscape is dotted with ancient ruins, rustic yet delicious cuisine is readily available, and the extraordinary wines crafted here make it a great destination for lovers of history, nature, fine food and great wines.

The Corbières Rouge from Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie is made from a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. The harvest is partially destemmed before going into the fermentation tanks. The different varieties are fermented together, and the maceration period is extended for a very long time to maximize the wine’s flavors and allow them to harmonize before being aged.

This is a wine with enormous character, dark red almost inky in the glass with a velveteen-like viscosity. Supple aromas of black raspberry, warm rock, barley, toasted sesame seeds, saddle leather and rock thyme sprinkled with black pepper corns. This is an intense and densely extracted wine on the palate, yet it is also profoundly harmonious, with deep red berry and iron flavors interspersed with garrigue and silken raspberry infused tannins. Serve with leg of lamb, coq au vin or roasted meats.

—Donald