Gabriel Meffre winery was established in 1936. It has since won the repuation as one of the best producers in the southern Rhone. Their Ventoux vineyard is located mainly on the sediment left by the seas of the Tertiary period at the base of the limestone massif of Ventoux. The wine is made from grenache and syrah, each component vinified separately before blending, then maturation in vats for 10 months. The result is a wine with a deep red robe and a purple hue. The nose is enticing with hints of ripe red fruits and spices, and the mouth is elegant and round with a spicy finish. This Ventoux, with its spiciness and fruit expression, will pair nicely with charcuterie, a vegetable curry or lamb colombo.

pen-fermented, 35% whole bunches, 2% viognier skins. Matured in 600L thick staved demi-muids. The bones are strong, the flavours are fine. There's nothing brutish about this wine, it's not rocket-propelled, and yet it pushes firmly for the stars. It tastes of graphite and black coffee, black cherries and white pepper, though what you really notice here is the wine's supple, spicy insistence and its fine web of tannin. This wine is going places.

The Syrah has a deep and youthful vibrant crimson colour. Wild raspberry, blueberry, cracked pepper and hints of vanilla bean show on the nose. Powerful and balanced ripe tannins give the wine great savory structure. Oak plays a supporting role with the wine living on a pure fruit expression. This purity combined with refreshing natural acidity mean there is excellent potential for aging. Development of mineral, gamey characters will result from bottle-age. Great with red meat dishes but especially good with game, particularly with duck and venison.

Elegant, focused with complex tapestry. perfumed and pretty with roses petal, subtle spice and a hint of violet. Palate is fine with ripe mulberry, clove, cinnamon and supple tannins.