Domaine Montirius, Garrigues, Vacqueyras, Rhône, 2016

A well-named Grenache-Syrah blend that really exudes the aromas and flavours of the herbal scrublands on which these old vines are planted. It's aged in cement vats for 18 months and is so sappy and vital, loaded with ripe forest berries and violet edges, chewy fruit tannins and brisk acidity. Lots of wine for your money.

Smells like a hot blackberry and apple crumble. Juicier and more unctuous than the Garrigues cuvée, with rounded, muscular, slightly fibrous tannins and generous, warming alcohol. A little more rustic, but also very good. Grapes were destemmed, indigenous yeasts were used, and no oak usage.