The 2022 Vin de Pays de l'Herault Rouge is dark and brooding, unfurling notes of molten licorice, ripe black plum, crushed rocks and herbal undertones. Hints of lemongrass and subtle peppery lift add striking aromatic...

The 2021 Terrasses du Larzac Autour de Jonquières is another wine that shows just how impressive this vintage is here. Aromatic and powerful, with notable punch, the 2021 delivers the goods. Dark red cherry, plum, cedar...

Made from 100% Roussanne, the 2017 Côtes du Roussillon L'Edre Blanc is a big step up and is a more serious, concentrated white that stays perfectly balanced. White peach, pineapple, spice, and ample mineral notes all flow...

An opaque purple core extends bright fuchsia rim. The bouquet is complex layered with notes of licorice incense fruit cake and blackberry liquor. Gobs of creamy dark fruit explode on entry supported by an undercurrent of...

The 2012 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem offers dark, mineral-laced aromas and flavors of smoked earth, licorice, wild herbs and blackcurrants to go with a firm, structured and age-worthy...

Lots of tar, smoke and blackberry with spices, stones and some bark. Notes of black truffle, sage, lavender and rosemary, too. Very complex. Full-bodied, yet very refined and polished with hot stone and some pine needle...

The Domaine de Baron'arques demonstrates that Limoux, the region that gave birth to sparkling wine makes a fine Merlot-based wine as well. A velvety wine of plush red and blue, berry fruit aromas accented by clove and...

The 2021 Terrasses du Larzac Lous Rougeos marries textural finesse and power with aplomb. Plush, silky tannins wrap around a core of sumptuous dark fruit. The 2021 is a very young wine. I would prefer to cellar it, but...

The 2020 Vin de Pays de I'Hérault Blanc is a superb choice for drinking now, as it is just starting to show some signs of aromatic development and nuance. Apricot, lemon confit, white flowers, pine and hint of orange...

(94+ points) The 2020 Terrasses du Larzac Autour de Jonquières is fabulous. Still very young, the 2022 could use another few years in bottle, but it is pretty compelling today. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of dark...