Old vines, the most precise representation of Mas d’en Gil terroir. Clos Fontà concentrates black fruit and minerality in a complex wine. It is the fruit of observation, the passing of time and the will to feel, meditate and recount. It epitomises this unque landscape.

Théo Dancer, like his father, is a big fan of Grenache. The vineyard he works with is in Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes (between Orange and Montélimar) near Cairanne. It’s a beautiful, shaded vineyard that looks out to Mont Ventoux, and the soils are littered with smooth galets roulés (the rounded stones that dominate so much of the southern Rhône). The vineyard has been managed organically for years—a key attraction for Théo. This 2023 is an engaging whole-bunch Grenache through a Burgundian lens. The fruit was harvested in late August and fermented as whole clusters, and the wine was raised in used 456-litre barrels. The stems are perfectly integrated, bringing freshness and lift to the wine’s ripe, fleshy-yet-floral core. Expect a Pinot-lover’s style of Grenache, with lots of orange rind, crushed blackberry and wild rose notes among the aromas, and a fleshy yet fine, super-floral palate with powdery tannins in abundance. A remarkable and unique interpretation of Grenache!

Clos du Lican is a standout single-vineyard wine from the Lapostolle family. It is situated on a steep, south-facing hillside in the Apalta Valley, where the soils consist of fractured granite and clay. This unique site is dedicated to Rhone varieties, specifically Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. The vineyard's altitude and orientation help keep temperatures cooler and slow ripening, preserving the fruit's natural acidity and structural integrity. The winemaking follows a traditional approach with a focus on purity. The fruit is hand-harvested and fermented in small French oak vats. The wine matures for 22 months in a combination of new and second-use French oak barrels, building complexity without overwhelming the primary fruit. The nose offers aromas of black cherry, dried lavender, and cracked black pepper. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and layered with flavours of dark plum and liquorice. Firm tannins provide a solid backbone, resulting in a dry, persistent finish. This is a robust wine with significant cellaring potential for the Australian collector.

Winemaker Elena Brooks has a unique ability to heighten the aromatic power and flavour of Grenache, and this wine is her pinnacle release of the variety.Bright medium to deep ruby. Seductive florals, strawberry, violets, raspberry jube and rose petal. An amalgam of gentle flavours with sweet cherry and strawberry, over satin-soft tannins with superb length. A beautifully made wine.

A vibrant purple hue in the glass. Brooding but fleshy aromatics are laced with an herbal spice note. Tannins are prominent but don’t dominate – cherry pip flavours wash over the mid palate. A savoury finish with an immense length and persistence. This wine will blossom with some bottle age.

"A smart blend" (Halliday) with Golds, Platinum and 94-96pt scores. From the very gifted winemaker Elena Brooks. "Flavours skip through sour plum, wild raspberry, blackberry pastille, soft licorice, ground ginger, dark rye, mace and a certain tarriness, measured but robust tannins closing out. It’s a smart blend, pulpy, chewy, multi-layered and bursting with flavour. 95pts” (Marcus Ellis, The Halliday Wine Companion). "Rich and intense on the palate with loads of blue fruits and dark earth minerality... it rolls long and weighty with supple tannins ensuring the drive is clear, focused and very long. 95pts” Stuart Knox, The Real Review). Ken Gargett, WinePilot adds that it is "Stunning stuff... A silky palate, very long and seamless with soft and sleek tannins. An enticing style which is utterly delicious. 96pts".