“The best Sortilège vintage I've tasted. Very Good Value.” - Tamlyn Currin for JancisRobinson.com

The character of the region flows through every pore of this rich-yet-juicy (very) old-vine red, which manages to be both deep and bright, graceful and powerful, showing a delectable array of flavours, including red and black cherry, garrigue herbs, a little smoked meat and pure blackcurrant with tiny inflections of red and purple flowers. It’s complex, supple, approachable and full of local character with a refined mineral (slightly chalky) texture and lovely freshness and acidity. Traditional vinification, total de-stemming, crushing and pumping-over. 18 months in old oak barrels. Drink now-20230. 14%.

Organic.

Press review:

JancisRobinson.com: “Quite shy on day one, after a day and a half of being open, this wine is soaring out the glass. Rose petals and dark-red plums, it has a tenor tremolo that is both exquisitely sweet and sends tiny goosebumps down my spine. There is a tenderness to this vintage of Sortilège that I've not seen before, and the tannins bend and curve and glow, as if it has a heart of cello tonewood. The fruit is soft and deep, there is a hush of woodsy spice (like when you walk over ancient forest carpets of pine needles and mushrooms in the early morning). The finish is a cashmere caress. I think the best Sortilège vintage I've tasted. VGV (TC). Drink now-2032.” 17.5 points

Decanter (previous vintage): “Made from Syrah, Grenache and 110-year-old Carignan vines, this is smooth and supple, ripe and juicy with bright cherry and blackcurrant fruit. It's elegant and powerful with garrigue elements as well as a refined mineral edge that gives texture and adds interest. A lively acidity on the mid-palates gives real freshness and there's a drive all the way through to a long finish. A remarkable and complex wine that is good to drink now or age. A great signature example of St Chinian.” 93 points