The most Grenache based of the Hegarty Chamans wines giving softer tannins and additional red fruit flavours, adding up to a really juicy, lip smacking package. Very easy and approachable, but still delivering serious quality and complexity. A fantastic all rounder, tons of personality and seriously good value for this quality!

CHARACTERISTICS

Intense red color with hints of crimson and a nose of ripe strawberries and spices. On the palate the lush, sweet, berry fruits are underpinned by powerful minerality and well integrated tannins, finishing with pepper and spice. This wine gives a strong sense of character and would be well matched to a wide range of foods. A very good barbeque wine, it should drink well for another 5-10 years.

THE WINERY

Sir John Hegarty, world renowned in the advertising industry purchased Domaine de Chamans in 2002, along with Philippa Crane as co-proprietor. They knew that they would need real expertise to get the most from this old estate and immediately employed a young, talented local winemaker. He has since been replaced by Sylvain Delabre adding further skills. The 22ha of vines sitting in the south facing foothills of the Montagne Noire were reduced to 15ha as the poorest vines were ripped up and the isolation from other vineyards meant they could pursue a rigorous non-interventionist farming philosophy, based on organic and biodynamic principles. (AB Certified and Demeter) To ensure quality, the vines are pruned to produce 20-30 hl per ha. Use of machines is minimal, the sheep (including 1 black one like the logo) are used to control the natural vegetation between the vines and they do all their own composting and natural treatments. The cellar is beautifully organised and all of this has led to the creation of some of the most highly rated wines in the whole region.