2017 Sous la Montagne Fitou

Half Carignan, with the rest almost equally split between Syrah (27%) and Grenache (23%), the 2017 Fitou does have some slightly funky Carignan notes on the nose—something like red raspberries puréed with peppermint and green peppercorns. It's full-bodied but avoids any sense of heaviness, being bolstered by fine-grained tannins that give an almost stony edge to the palate yet without making the wine hard or tough. There's enough structure to hold up to several years in the cellar or to pair well with red meats. (JC)

Winemaker Jeff Carrel has provided us some of our best values from Southern France these past several years. His "Les Darons" is one of our best selling wines from the Languedoc year-after-year. This new project "Sous la Montagne" which translates to "beneath the mountain" takes a more focused look at some of the lesser known terroirs in the south, especially those in and around the Roussillon. Fitou is an underrepresented appellation that sits between Corbieres to the north and the Roussillon to the south. Influenced by many of the same soils as Roussillon, the ground here is primarily schist. The grape range is very similar as well with Carignan (the most traditional grape in the region) making up the bulk and Grenache and Syrah rounding out the balance. This Fitou is joyously aromatic with an explosion of white pepper, black fruit and pretty violets. The palate is lifted with a medium-full bodied texture giving you the sense of a classic country red with flavors of currants, smoked meats and savory herbs. And that's what it would be perfect with - some herb crusted pork chops and roasted vegetables. A wonderful glass of wine to drink whether it is below the mountain or maybe just a tree in your backyard.