Figuiere Premiere de Figuiere Red 2023

Cellar for up to 10 years. Decant for up to an hour or more before serving. Figuière is a family business with a long history of producing elegant and complex French wine. Founded by wine-maker Alain Combard in 1991, the winery is now run by his three children, François, Magali, and Delphine. Located in the Côtes de Provence AOC, the 44-acre Saint-André de Figuière plot is the family’s pride and joy, providing a basis for their flagship Première range, with its mineral-rich, quartz-infused schist soils. The Première de Figuiere Red is a careful blend of lean Syrah and moody Mourvedre. The Syrah is picked slightly overripe while the Combard family wait for the Mourvedre to mature, adding to the intense fruitiness of this wine’s profile. The nose is alive with scents of blackberry, cassis and plum, liquorice, chocolate and Provencal herbs. After fermenting separately, the Syrah and Mourvedre are matured for 8 months in French oak barrels. There are hints of oak and mature tannins on the palate, but the overall impression is one of smooth, round and silky character. Look for notes of blackberry, black cherry and strawberry, supplemented by hints of cocoa, tobacco, rosemary and thyme. This red is ready to drink but also has plenty of potential for further ageing in the cellar. Pair it with rich meats or intense cheeses.

Price: £16.99 from 8wines UK