(2024) From the Artisans Partisans range, this is mainly Roussanne (75%) with Marsanne and Grenache Blanc from clay and limestone soils, aged in barrel on the lees for about nine months. With only 12.5% I suspect this was picked early, though it shows a gloriously ripe and lifted nose, the fragrant, nutty quality of the oak and the spearmint and floral nuances to the apricot and exotic fruit. The palate has a beautiful balance of sweetness, spice and juiciness, long and really very light on its feet, shimmering into the finish. Unfortunately this vintage may now be sold out.

(2017) A most enjoyable, high-end white from the Languedoc, it is made from low-yielding Roussanne, with dashes of Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul, fermented and aged in French oak barrels from the Vosges forests. A powerful wine, it opens with plenty of oak on display, toasty and creamy, but also with nice hay and light chalky earth, and a substantial apricot and yellow plum fruit. Intense and powerful on the palate too, there's abundant fruit sweetness, but a driving core of acidity and that alcohol too, to give it a bit of extra definition. Not overblown in any way, but a touch less alcohol would have raised its score a point or two for me.