Succulent is the descriptor that came to mind when we began our discussion of this southern Rhône red; a wine rich with dark fruit, herbal notes and a supple mouth-feel. The brothers Patrick and Vincent Soard own and operate the impeccable Domaine de Fenouillet whose cellars are situated in the village of Beaumes de Venise, in the shadows of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. They trace their lineage as vignerons back to their great-grandfather, Casimir Soard, whose wines were winning medals as early as 1902. This cuvée is a blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Carignan. It is sourced from three separate “terroirs”: the stony silex-infused plateau of Saint Hippolyte, the silex-dominated soils of the hill of Piniere in Aubignan and the clay-limestone mix in the soils of the commune of Barroux. The parcels are harvested and vinified separately and the final blend is created before the bottling which occurs prior to the next year’s harvest. Easy to enjoy and yet complex and serious, drink this with grilled rosemary lamb chops and roast potatoes.