Domaine Bardi d'Alquier, Les Premières, Faugères, 2022

A gorgeously aromatic blend of slightly younger (20-year-old) vines of Syrah (which has been in old barrels), Grenache (in old foudres) and Mourvèdre (in amphora). It's an overflowing basket of bright berries, strawberries, cherries and a lick of orange rind. A lovely delicate touch here, with pure fruit staying long into the finish, and an almost clay-like texture from the fine tannins. Although this is the domaine's 'simplest' red, it's far from simple, offering the beginnings of the refinement and character that you'll see in even greater waves in the elevated cuvées in the range.