Francois Xavier AKA 'FX' worked with Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa for five years. He spent a further year with Domaine Danjou-Banessy. After such time this local lad set up in Espira to make his own wholly exciting wines which we are introducing the UK for the first time. One hundred percent thirty year old vine Syrah on red clay. Eight days skin macération whole bunch. Fermentation in stainless steel and aged seven months in a single 20 hl foudre. 2g/hl sulphites added just before bottling. This is like a fine, gentle Crozes-hermitage with wild notes and tangy blueberry fruit. Very smart and stylish wine from young FX.

Francois Xavier AKA 'FX' worked with Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa for five years. He spent a further year with Domaine Danjou-Banessy. After such time this local lad set up in Espira to make his own wholly exciting wines which we are introducing the UK for the first time. One hundred percent eighty year old vine Carignan Noir. Macerated for seven days then whole bunch fermentation took place. The wine was bred in aged in 6 hl barrels for eight months. Just 2g/hl sulphites added just before bottling.

This wine is available for ordering Under Bond, for transfer or delivery duty paid with the additional taxes payable at prevailing rates. When you buy wines Under Bond they can either be transferred, under bond, to an account in a Bonded warehouse or delivered duty paid. We will enquire by email whether you wish the wine to remain under bond or be delivered duty paid. For Under Bond deliveries. We will ask you to provide the details of the bonded warehouse address and the account you would like it held under. Excise and VAT taxes are not payable for wines transferred under bond. A charge for the transfer will be made at the time of delivery, and varies from Bond to Bond. We will let you know what that charge is in advance, when you confirm the address, and issue an invoice for the transfer charge. For Duty Paid Deliveries. We will ask for the delivery address by email. All Under Bond prices exclude HM Excise, Customs and VAT. Current Excise rates are £29.54 per ltr of pure alcohol, Customs are Zero and VAT is currently charged at 20%. These taxes are liable to change, and will be charged at the prevailing rate when the goods are removed from Bond. At that time, a new VAT invoice will be issued, including a charge for onward delivery. The balance between what has already been charge Under Bond and the new VAT invoice will be payable. N.B. Our website currently does not automatically charge for these additional costs and may even suggest that the wines qualify for Free National Delviery. We apologise that is not the case with Under Bond and En Primeur.

Powerful, fresh and rounded. Blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir. Paired with scone. Aroma from apple, citrus, lime, lemon zest, almond, apricot and brioche.

A 'Vin Gris' from a very old co-planted vineyard of all three Grenache's. Wonderful stuff. 60 magnums only.

Pech Mege is a silky, focussed wine showing deep red fruits and the fresh minerality which is a characteristic of the schist soil of their vineyards.

100% Marsanne from loess soils at Larnage that abut Hermitage. Vendome's name for plot is "Chapelle". Grapes are hand-harvested then destemmed, pressed, steel vat fermented until specific gravity 1040, then new 228-litre oak (steamed not toasted) cask fermented, raised 10 months, malo blocked, first year 2023, wide bottle, organic wine, 2,500 bottles produced. "Yellow robe; the nose has a walnut aroma up front, a peach, infused herbal tea backdrop, discreet cooked lemon. The palate opens with elegance, holds attractive gras, is a little locked away for now, but the quality of the gras - its relaxed nature - bodes well for the future. The length works well, is refined and sure. This is classy, serene. Decant it. 13°. 100% Marsanne. 2030-31 Oct 2024 ****(*) on Drink Rhone, John Livingstone-Learmonth "Pure Marsanne grown on loess next to the Hermitage Hill. Fermented in 500 litre new French oak, but this is steamed, not toasted. Bold pear and peach fruit with lovely density, showing richness but also freshness. Has a fine spicy dimension with beautiful weight and balance. Amazing texture to this wine". 95/100 Jamie Goode on wineanorak.com

This wine is available for ordering Under Bond, for transfer or delivery duty paid witht he additional taxes payable at prevailing rates. When you buy wines Under Bond they can either be transferred, under bond, to an account in a Bonded warehouse or delivered duty paid. We will enquire by email whether you wish the wine to remain under bond or be delivered duty paid. For Under Bond deliveries. We will ask you to provide the details of the bonded warehouse address and the account you would like it held under. Excise and VAT taxes are not payable for wines transferred under bond. A charge for the transfer will be made at the time of delivery, and varies from Bond to Bond. We will let you know what that charge is in advance, when you confirm the address, and issue an invoice for the transfer charge. For Duty Paid Deliveries. We will ask for the delivery address by email. All Under Bond prices exclude HM Excise, Customs and VAT. Current Excise rates for wines are £29.54 per litre of alcohol, Customs are Zero and VAT is currently charged at 20%. These taxes are liable to change, and will be charged at the prevailing rate when the goods are removed from Bond. At that time, a new VAT invoice will be issued, including a charge for onward delivery. The balance between what has already been charge Under Bond and the new VAT invoice will be payable. N.B. Our website currently does not automatically charge for these additional costs and may even suggest that the wines qualify for Free National Delivery. We apologise that is not the case with Under Bond and En Primeur.

The debut vintage in 'bottle' for Chemin de Moscou 'Reflet'. The previous few years have only been available as a special release magnum. Grenache-led with Syrah following along in a fine style. The wine is deep, smooth and beautifully sweet-fruited, but like its opposite, the classic Chemin de Moscou, the wines shows tremendous focus of line and length. The wine impresses very much now, but due to the controlled focus at its heart, it shall live a long time in the bottle.

"Selections from the estate's top parcels and aging in new wood for two years have produced an immensely rich wine. Polished and spicy, the wine has serious tannins as well as layers of black fruits. The wine is just there, and it is impressively ready to drink". 94/100 Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

A very special wine from ancient plants of two of the rarest and very best vines for Soualnes terroir, Grenache Gris and Carignan Gris. This really does have everything. It's floral, honeyed orchard and citrus fruits added to its sumptuousness, its layers of texture and bright but not too spiky acidity. Very long with great balance and so much interest. Divine stuff that is here in tiny quantities. Published on decanter.com June 2022: Domaine des Soulanes, Vieilles Vignes Blanc, Côtes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2021 90/100 "A lovely, vivacious white, made from Grenache Gris and the rare Carignan Gris. The aromas are forward and pretty, delicately honeyed and floral, with some bruised apple and tangy lemon. I like how the wine feels really textural and pithy in the mouth, with a fresh, herbal acidity". Drinking Window 2022 - 2031

This beautiful Margot 2022 (named after FX's little girl, Margot) is utterly divine modern, natural Roussillon Rose. The make up in this organic wine is 50% old vine Grenache Noir (grown on schist) seeing whole bunch and maceration on skins for 7 days and 50% direct press Carignan Noir (grown on clay). The naturally fermented juices are blended after malolactic fermentation. Tank aged for five months. A very low dose of sulphites at bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Coming in at a delightful 11.5% alcohol. A beautiful label drawn in school by young Margot also!

Very rare indeed. A tiny amount for the UK. Ubuntu is organically grown 80% Grenache Gris and 20% Grenache Noir from schist soil over a bed of clay-limestone that sees skin macération and whole bunch fermentation for seven days. This fermenting juice is transferred and left to breed in amphora for five months. Bottled with a very low dose of sulphites, unfined and unfiltered. Amazing tension. This feels like a "light red wine" to us (albeit one with tension and real interest), so that's what we have called it. Amazing, and in limited quantities.

Frédéric Julien farms 15 hectares of vineyards in Rasteau. As there is no Rasteau Blanc, the appellation is not so relevant for white wines so this is declassified to Vin de France to allow maximum expression. 50 % bourboulenc, 50 % Clairette. Vinfiied separately partly in oak and partly in tank. After 7 months the wine is blended. This has good fruit but better acidity, making it nervy and racy. Brilliant wine.

Francois Xavier AKA 'FX' worked with Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa for five years. He spent a further year with Domaine Danjou-Banessy. After such time this local lad set up in Espira to make his own wholly exciting wines which we are introducing the UK for the first time. Ninety percent Syrah (thirty years old) and ten percent Carignan (eighty years old) on schist terroir. Skin macération for seven days followed by whole-bunch fermentation in cuve and then bred in a 10hl Amphora for eight months. Just 2g/hl sulphites added just before bottling.

Francois Xavier AKA 'FX' worked with Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa for five years. He spent a further year with Domaine Danjou-Banessy. After such time this local lad set up in Espira to make his own wholly exciting wines which we are introducing the UK for the first time. This wine is making its debut in 2022 vintage. It’s one hundred percent Malvoisie grown on schiste on a bed of argilo calcaire that sees skin macération for seven days then wild fermentation in cuve and then aged in small sandstone eggs (3hl) for eight months. Just before bottling 2g/hl of sulphites is added. Proper, deep orange wine. One for the ages.

This Syrah blend with soft black fruits and spice has been shaped by the sunbaked rocky soils of the Languedoc hinterland. A herbal, spicy bouquet is followed by youthful red cherries and supple mineral character derived from the schist rich soils.

"I knew our terroirs very well, and knew that we could exploit them to the full. With Romain’s experience of vinifications all around the world, I was happy to launch the domaine". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here". Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic. 100% Roussanne planted (only 0.3ha) on the very special and unique white Kaolin soils of Chateau de Larnage. This is phenomenal wine from such a young vine (planted in 2018). When looking at the 2022 vintage of this wine our senior buyer Stewart Travers thought the vines need to come on a little to show the terroir a little more to stand up in the market. We were literally knocked straight off of our feet on tasting the 2023 vintage, the vines and the fruit from this wonderful terroir have come on LEEPS and BOUNDS. Deep golden yellow colour, full, rich nose of flowers, quince and a touch of warm spice. Juicy and impressively deep on the palate with the fine acid brilliantly and elegantly holding everything finely in tune on the utterly delightful finish. What a wine, and simply another reason why we so look forward to following Dom. Delhome. Young Romain is a star!

A True Blouge has arrived. In our opinion, the very best of the light red/mixed grapes/blouge style. It’s sappy, herbal and aromatic, the fruit is lythe, alive, long and lifted. Colour is extraordinary, but with the interest and complexity in the wine - it’s not just pretty coloured glou glou - it’s really vinous and interesting. Serve cool. It's made by Vincent Chansault who's day job is to make the brilliant Domaine Gayda wines. This is from his personal project in Minervois La Liviniere. It's a co-ferment of a single, 70yo co-planted vineyard in La Liviniere Minervois of Cinsault (red), Bourboulenc (white) and Grenache Gris (pink). Fermented wild in whole-bunches. 2,000 bottles produced. We have a nice chunk, but it won't last forever. One of the wines of 2025. Definitely the wine of the summer!

70 % Sangiovese, 30% Syrah, is amongst the very best in the Languedoc. Intense color, pretty aromas of white flowers. With a nice roundness with a touch of juicy residual sugar that really works in this 20th harvest celebration wine. So much sheer joy and fun here. Emotional stuff.

A delightful, stylish blend of Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul. This wine has a bright straw yellow colour. On the nose, it reveals subtle aromas of citrus, melon, peach, with delicate notes of infused white flowers. The palate is rich and deep, both smooth and juicy, offering a beautiful balance and a cool, mineral and persistent finish. Lovely stuff.

"Of all our vineyards, the kaolin on Château de Larnage is the top site - it’s a unique terroir, maybe 20 hectares of it, giving wines with real style, breeding, powerful and good finesse for both red and white, the whites there more recently planted. Our neighbours there are Desmeure (Remizières), Belle, Olivier Dumaine, Dard & Ribo, Sorrel, the Cave de Tain". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots. Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here". 100% Syrah (1950s) from kaolin, white clay soils on Château de Larnage at Larnage, hand harvested, destemmed, 25 day steel vat vinification at 24°-28°C, pre-fermentation cold maceration at 8°-10°C "to seek red fruits", 20-25 day steel vat vinification at 24°-28°C, pumping overs, part vat emptying/refilling, raised 5% new, 95% 3-10 year 228-litre oak casks 11-12 months, wide bottle, 4,700 bottles produced". John Livingstone-Learmonth, Drink Rhone Outstanding Crozes Hermitage from a wonderful site on kaolin (bright white clay) at 330m elevation on Château de Larnage at Larnage. A beautiful, elegant nose but with plenty of concentration - quite a dark style with a gorgeous floral lift. The fruit is pure and direct, and the balsamic note gives the wine real character which is quite unexpected in a wine so young. This 2022 shall do really well a few years down the line, but it is undoubtedly utterly delightful right now. Again, outstanding.

A testament to the ancestral terroir of Minervois La Livinière. This blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache highlights the characteristics of the appellation and the biodiversity of the terroir. Whilst respecting tradition, it is also in tune with the times. ‘La Petite Villa’ starts us off on the road to ‘Villa Mon Rêve’. On the nose, a bouquet of black fruit and spices reveals notes of black cherry, blackberry and clove. This initial nose is supported by fresh aromas of peppermint and sweet cocoa bean notes. On the palate, a fine structure emerges with a supple, intense attack, offering a pleasant velvety texture and a spicy finish with young but promising tannins. Aromas of black fruit, garrigue, cocoa, pink pepper and fresh tobacco unfold fully, offering a rich, complex taste experience.

Syrah 50% from Mercurol (1970s) & 50% from Larnage (early 2000s), destemmed, 21-25 day concrete vat vinification at 26°C, pumping overs, 2 x part vat empting/refillings, concrete vat raised until March, then raised 1-2 year 600-litre oak casks another 9-10 months, unfined, filtered, 2,000 bottles made. "This is from loess soils in Larnage and granitic soils in Erôme, aged 6 months in concrete and 1 year in barrel. Fresh and vivid with nice brightness to the juicy red fruits. There’s also some red cherry and a bit of plum. Hints of olive and black cherry, too. Very fine and expressive". Jamie Goode on wineanorak.com 94/100

From Yves Falmet: My ‘A Contre Courant’ label is made from grapes from the oldest Carignan and Grenache plots in my vineyard. But what makes this wine outstanding is its maturation under a veil of yeast for four years. Wines matured under a veil of yeast are characterised by the spontaneous development of yeasts which form a veil on the surface of the wine in contact with the ambient air (during its barrel ageing phase). This technique, which is uncommon for wine because of the risk of acetic souring when stored in containers with ullage, gives it specific aroma and flavour characters of fig, tobacco and candied cherry and a substantial finish on the palate. Of the very few wines matured this way, Vin Jaune from Jura is particularly renowned, but there are no red wines. By maturing a red wine using this technique, I am actually going counter to modern standardised winemaking, hence the name of the wine, which means "flying in the face" of established standards and the "tastefully correct". This is a wine I have created for true wine enthusiasts, those who do not resign themselves to the standardisation of taste, to stereotyped and uniform wines, in short, to the prevailing trend for ultra-conformism.

Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne and Roussanne. Lovely lifted floral fruit, gorgeous texture and lovely freshness. We loved this.

A venerable Blanc de Blancs of venerable age, now really hitting its stride. Very rich and expressive, emblematic of the softer 2009 vintage. No austerity here whatsoever, just generosity and warmth, with notes of toasted brioche and tarte tatin alongside a subtle honeyed element.

A delightful, classy and juicy bistro-styled blend of Merlot, Carignan, Marselan and Mourvedre. Charming and attractive fruit. Punches well above its weight.

Wonderful and characterful small estate Picpoul from a great and talented family. Our partners for many years.

Pretty aromas of yellow fruits such as peaches, citrus & pineapple with hints of linden and chamomile. The palate is lively, fruity and well-balanced, with good length.

A new Muscat de Beaumes de Venise in 2023 from d'Ourea - 100% Muscat Petit Grain made in a a bright, not too sweet style. Invigorating and lovely.

From a beautiful northern site of Saint-Joseph on beaitiful granitic soil. This wine is the geeks secret. We have a little more allocation in 2023, so grab it now before it gets snapped up soonest.

We've found another Syrah-led, Southern Rhone wine that astounds with its interest and punches way above its price tag. From Drink Rhone: 80% Syrah (1982-1990s-1997), 20-25% Grenache (1960s-1985-86) from 3 hectares on very stony clay-limestone soils on lightly north facing slope on Bois Lauzon with Champovin (Orange). Destemmed, 4 week steel vat vinification at up to 28°C, daily pumping overs, cap punching, half the Syrah aged new (33%)-4 year 600-litre oak casks, Grenache & half the Syrah vat raised 12 months. Certified organic wine, **** for the 2022 from John Livingstone-Learnmonth on Drink Rhone "Dark red; the nose has an earthy intensity, a brewed blue and black fruits air. The palate carries appealing, gourmand dark berry fruits, prune flavouring, extends into a spiced corridor late on, notes of tea leaves and mineral there. It gives a well filled Côtes that lasts well, digs in, has interest". From mid-2024. to 2030-31. Tasted Oct 2023

This is a lovely dessert wine with a bright, golden colour. On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe apricot, honey, and orange blossom, along with hints of jasmine and citrus zest. On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied, with flavours of candied citrus, stone fruit, and a touch of tropical fruit. The sweetness is well-balanced with a refreshing acidity that keeps the wine from being cloying. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving lingering notes of honey and apricot.

Charmingly classic expression of the Vertus style. Family, grower, very low dosage, old vine chardonnay grown on chalk - what more could one want? Jancis Robinson MW OBE 16.5 "From a 40-year-old premier cru vineyard. Pungent, well priced, tight and dense. Lemon spume. Quite youthful. Good Value"

100% Grenache (1920s) from sandy, clay-limestone galet stone soils on Pignan (N-E), destemmed, 5 week vinification at up to 28°C, cap punching and pumping overs, steel vat raised 18-20 months, unfined, unfiltered, 4,000 bottles produced. **** 2022 John Livingstone-Learnmonth on Drink Rhone "Quite a full red; the nose carries spice, with a crushed red berries core, a gentle floral grace. The palate is finely tuned, very true to its place, has an elegant coating that clads it in a supple texture all through, gives a true portrait of its sandy soils from this excellent lieu-dit. It gains a little correctly increased depth into its very calm finish, is well tuned. The finish brings in blood orange, iron notes. There is complexity to be accessed here over time. From 2027 or so to 2047-49". Tasted Oct 2023 "Tasted blind. Some bacon and meaty notes of reduction on the nose. Rich and weighty mid palate and chewy tannins. Good concentration of fruit and a lively red-raspberry finish. An attractive, savoury note alongside the raspberry notes. Elegant and fine, with a saline note creeping in on the end. Sculpted and elegant". 17/20 Alistair Cooper MW on jancisrobinson.com When to drink 2030 - 2040 Date tasted 5 Oct 2023 "An elegant and smooth style of Châteauneuf, ripe but not overly concentrated, with balanced (if gently warming) alcohol and acidity, some sandy mineral notes and precise berry fruits. The super-fine tannins are pure and expressive. It’s not a powerful style, but an intense one, with a long finish. Pure Grenache from vines aged more than 100 years old, from the sandy soils of Pignan nord; all aged in stainless steel". 95/100 Tasted by: Matt Walls for Decanter Magazine Drinking Window: 2027 - 2035 95-97+/100 Jeb Dunnuck 94/100 Vinous

High elevation Grenache and a touch of Syrah that is lifted, elegant, spicy and savoury. Outstanding wine that ages gracefully. Perfect with spicy pork dishes. Beautiful vineyards that are beautifully worked by the master Eric Laguerre, one of the unsung heroes of the Roussillon.

M 3.0 Le Mauzac is a traditional method sparkling wine with no added sugar at any of the 3 stages of production. The only thing fermented and added (twice more) is organic Mauzac juice. This cuvée is without doubt the finest representation of Limoux's indigenous grape variety. First planted by the Romans, it is particularly well adapted to the climate and requires much less water than Chardonnay. This pure Mauzac has been aged for 36 months in bottle, then disgorged. It is a particularly impressive and very elegant take with fine, persistent bubbles. A real 'wow' that you NEED to know about. "A remarkable balance is revealed on the palate between a full, mellow body, fine tension and the freshness of the fruit, with the added bonus of a long finish of green apples that is the hallmark of Mauzac." Two Stars in Guide Hachette 2025

Natural, organic Macabeu from a beautiful vineyard in Calce, Roussillon blended 50/50 with Chenin Blanc from Aveyron in central France! The Chenin Blanc is from Vincent's friends at Coultades du Coustoubi. The '78' moniker comes from both postcodes being added together - 66 for Roussillon and 12 for Aveyron. The blend makes for a wine of great character with a precise, floral nose, a good body that has great tension with fine acidity. Really interesting and ultimately, hugely satisfying wine. Vincent Carreras has been working in wine industry for 13 years. For nine years he worked for a winery in the south of the Roussillon, Andy Cook’s Mas Cristine and Coume del Mas. Working in the vineyard, cellar and commercial activities - the whole shebang! For four years now he has been employed by a family winery based in Maury - Clos des Vins d'Amour. Who work 25 hectares organically in the west of Roussillon. Mostly in commercial activities, but also working in the cellar. Alongside this, in 2016, Vincent started a new project - Domaine Odyssée. The 3.5ha of vineyards are in Calce and Baixas, in a heart of Roussillon. The sites are small, but unquestionably some of the most beautiful we have seen. Vincent draws on the experiences mentioned above and his time in New Zealand (2011), Argentina (2012) and Bordeaux 2011 to help fully realise what he has there in his exceptional terroir. Vincent works organically, using no weedkillers, no chemical products. He works by hand and with organic fertilizer (he is in conversion right now). He harvests his parcels by himself with friends and family. In the cellar, Vincent’s philosophy is a minimum of intervention "To keep the fruit and the terroir.". The wines are extracted gently with just a little pump over. No filtration, no fining. The only preservative is a little dose of sulphites in very low quantities at bottling "It is important for me the stabilise the wine in respect of the future customers".