Roussillon (Grenache)

The dense, sun-baked Grenache red of Roussillon — France's Catalan far south, around Perpignan against the Pyrenees — the hottest, sunniest, driest corner of French wine. Grown on schist, granite and limestone from old, low-yielding bush vines, it is warm, spicy and slightly rustic, with black cherry, fig, garrigue herbs and a rich Mediterranean depth carried on high alcohol and soft, grippy tannin.