The Whites

2021 Domaine la Preceptorie, Côtes du Roussillon Blanc, Coume Marie- £14.50 Wine Society

Notes : Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc plus a drop of Macabeo. Very fresh, soft citrus and good acidity on the palate, gentle fruity nose. Very much liked on the evening and good value.

2018 Domaine Vaquer, Côtes Catalanes, L’Esquisse – sale price £23.40 – Tiger Vines

Notes : Roussanne Macabeo blend. Rather ‘dumb’ on the nose, somewhat austere and a touch flabby on the palate, clearly not showing at its best on the night – is it ‘sleeping ?’

The Reds

2020 Château de Corneilla, Côtes du Roussillon, Les Aspres Cavalcade- £8.95 – Wine Society

Notes : From a very old Estate (ca. 1495), blend of 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 25% Mourvedre. Relatively light and fruity with good acidity and mineral backbone on the palate, nose slightly ‘jammy’ but NOT on the palate, with a savoury finish. Good value

2018 Domaine Fontanel, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Tautavel – £8.95 – Stone Vine & Sun

Notes : Rich red and black fruit nose, good depth and colour, this is 70% Carignan with the remainder Grenache and Syrah. From a more northern organic vineyard, some real structure here ; again, excellent value for money.

2020 Domaine Gérard Gauby, Côtes Catalanes, les Calcinaires – £18.50 – Wine Society

Notes : A very unusual wine, very pale red, almost like a Pinot Noir. Light on the palate with a shortish finish, quite elegant for such low extract (only 13% BV). A blend of Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carignan, the winemaker (ex-Rugby player!) clearly intended this light style. Not really sure it works, quirky and expensive.

2020 Domaine de la Rectorie, Collioure, la Bergerie des Abeilles – £11.50 – Wine Society

Notes : Vineyard is almost in Spain, close to Banyuls. Mainly Grenache by an Argentinian winemaker, a full and deep red with a serious mineral backbone, almost ‘crunchy’ on the palate. Fruit and tannins remarkably mature and structured, a serious wine. Good value.

The Sweet Ones

2019 Domaine Fontanel, Maury Grenat – £20.95 – Stone vine & Sun

Notes : A traditional Vin Doux Naturel from Roussillon and Banyuls, fortified to 16% BV with sugars at ca. 90g/l. This is the reductive style with real red fruit but soft and sweet, no edges. Went wonderfully well with IOW Blue Cheese.

1998 Domaine de Rancy, Rivesaltes Ambré – £21.00 – Wine Society

Notes: Made in the more widely known oxidised style, a Grenache Gris and Macabeo blend fortified to 19% BV. Grown on schist soil so good minerality and packed with amazing rich fruit and fruit-cake flavours. A great dessert wine.