Vinsobres is the most northern appellation of the Southern Rhône. The Perrin family owns around 80 hectares here. The vineyards grow at altitudes of 200 – 450 metres, in terraces, with the Prealps on one side and Mont Ventoux on the other. The soils are stony and sandy marl on the slopes, and stony quaternary alluviums on the terraces. A very particular microclimate protects the village and the vines planted which are planted in amphitheatre formation. Summers are hot and dry, with the local Mistral and Pontias winds bringing cooler air at night. Dense purple colour. Richly aromatic: black fruits, stewed plums, even some prune. Complex floral aromas too. A little reduced and herbal - high Syrah content? Full bodied and spicy with a tight, savoury palate and a robust tannin structure. Some juicy red plum on the finish, and a little richness from oak. Long. The patient buyer will be rewarded in another 7-10 years.

From 14 hectares in the south west of the old village. The soils are stony, with clay and sand underneath. This wine is typically fleshy when young but develops beautiful aromas of blackcurrant, garrigue and liquorice with a few years age.

Grenache dominant wine produced on very clay rich soils with stones from the Ouvèze river. "Beautiful dark and shiny color. The nose is very expressive, pure and aromatic with great mineral notes. The palate presents a structure of great finesse, elegant with ripe fruit. The tannins are rich, noble and silky." Famille Perrin

Hal and I thought this an absolute classic Coudoulet showing really good value for money. Deep ruby, with a complex nose of violet, cranberry, black fruit, and cocoa. This wine is instantly pretty in the glass. Full bodied with excellent acidty and a firm backbone of ripe tannin. Layers of flavour appear and recede: chocolate, plums, pâte de fruits, then mint, then black cherry, then seville orange. Impressive and rather moreish. Delightful now but should evolve nicely over the next decade.

The Dentelles de Montmirail (from the Latin mons mirabilis, ‘extraordinary mountain’) is a small, jagged mountain chain that forms a natural amphitheatre around the sandstone village of Gigondas and its surrounding vineyards. Roman legionaries chose this beautiful, protected site to plant their grapevines. Located mid-slope at 300-400 metres above sea level, the Famille Perrin vineyard is amongst the most historical vineyards in Gigondas. It benefits from a flow of cold air which blows through the valley situated to the west of the village. The vines grow on limestone, calcareous marl and sandy soils, giving the Grenache immense finesse and elegance with unique aromas. Some old plots of Grenache planted on sand have pre-phylloxera vines. Deep ruby but not as saturated as the Vinsobres. Attractive notes of black cherry, liquorice, balsamic, pine and black pepper spice. Subtle oak. An intense and tightly wound palate displays hedgerow fruits, slightly bitter chocolate tannin and chalky minerality. Then it unwinds to express more jammy fruit, fruitcake spices, dried fruits, and a charming acidity to a long finish. Very supple. An earlier drinking style, but still with the potential to age gracefully.

Domaine du Clos des Tourelles is located below the village of Gigondas. This historic 3 hectare vineyard of very old Grenache on limestone soils with a marly-sandy matrix is the last Clos still existing in Gigondas. Leading the wines of Gigondas to new heights, Dom. de Clos des Tourelles is made in tiny quantities in a boutique winery in the centre of the village. Ruby red in colour. A meaty nose at first, then cassis, dusty cocoa, and floral potpourri. The oak is well held. The palate is quite tight at first, with fresh acidity, slightly sour cherry flavours, and a herbal backbone. Then all becomes warm and fruity, with dusty tannin, and a long savoury finish. Layered and complex.

A glass-staining black-ruby colour, totally opaque. Expressive nose with cedar, charcoal, balsamic, black cherry and oil. Sumptuous palate, kicking off with powerful Mourvèdre texture, then relaxing to explode with more primary fruit flavours, kirsch and cassis liqueurs. This is a savoury and serious wine with very well held and totally integrated tannins, present throughout but not overpresent. Heady, very long, fine and moreish. It feels complete and inviting but built for the long term too. An impressive trick.