Closure Type: Vinolok

(2026) A very pretty, Provence-style pale pink from close to Perpignan in the Roussillon, composed of Grenache Gris ,Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre. The elegant, frosted bottle with glass Vinolok stopper is classy, and so is the wine: small, ripe, sweet, strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavours, a pristine palate with strawberry bon bon lightness and hints of icing sugar dusting, but dry and finely chiseled in the finish.  

(2026) A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vermentino from Coteaux Varois en Provence. It's a cool, mineral and herb-flecked style, the palate quite decisive with a hint of ripe pear and a cut of lemony acidity. It's juicy and orangey-citrussy, even sherbetty overall, and pleasing.

(2026) "Au soleil et à la neige" says the label, suggesting this is a wine that doesn't take itself too seriously. In fact it's a brand conceived, in all places, by residents of Sandbanks in Dorset, and made for them by a Provence estate. A blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault and Syrah, there's slightly more depth of colour to this than some, and a particularly bold fruitiness too: ripe and overflowing with berry fruits, it still has excellent freshness and balance and is most enjoyable - whatever the weather.

(2025) As ever, Disznókö's Dry Furmint has a whistle-clean, mouthwatering citrus and salts clarity. Opening with firm, barely ripe stonefruit and lemon aromas, there's an edge of leafiness and a stony minerality. In the mouth it is bone-dry, but beautifully balanced. It flirts with austerity, the sheer acid drive and taut precision of the fruit dominating, but this has tingling, zesty appeal and excellent balance.

(2024) In its very fancy bottle and with a super pale colour this is a Provence ringer, but actually from the Languedoc. It's one of the most vibrant, intense wines of its style in this year's round-up, peach, pink fig and strawberry among the brightly fruity aromas. The palate follows through, the keen stripe of rhubarb-like acidity flashing through the ripe red fruits. Crisp, fruit-filled, distinctive and impressive.

(2024) Another wine closed with the 'Vinolok' glass stopper on a rather romantic rose-embossed bottle, this blends Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan. It's a another finely detailed wine from Sainte Roseline, pale, peachy and fragrant, summer berries and herbs, a fresh and lightly grassy and floral aspect to this. On the palate the acidity and that grassiness give this gastronomic potential, those adding a bit of seriousness to the pretty peach and lime flavours.

(2023) Mostly Albariño planted in 2000, but blended with Godello, Loureiro and Caíño Blanco, this is a new single-estate wine set for release in 2024. It comes from vineyards in Salnes and spent one year on the lees, then a further two maturing in small steel and concrete vats, still on the lees with regular stirring. The aromatics hint at exotic tropical fruits, but such a distinct saline mineral character too. There's a hint of breadiness from that lees work. Hints of pineapple and lychee compound that tropical character, with a sweep of lemon and grapefruit that gives a bone dry finish, tangy and pithy, but some orange peel character too. Not available in the UK at time of review.

(2023) An Albariño from a single vineyard and, unusualy, cellared for several years prior to release, including six months on the lees. It's a wine with a more sultry aspect than many from this appellation, that extended ageing adding a creaminess to the yellow apple fruit, a fine sense of wet river pebbles and delicate floral notes adding definite class. In the mouth quite broad, concentrated and relatively powerful. There's a core of juicy oranges and lemons citrus, but some nuttiness and broader, fuller appeal through the mid-palate too. A beautiful wine. £28.80 on Multi-buy.  

(2023) An organic Grenache wine, handsomely packaged with vinolock glass stopper, from a property in the Minervois region of the Languedoc. Pale salmon pink, the nose has strawberry bob-bons, dusted with icing sugar, and a pert feeling of freshness. In the mouth rounded with creamy fruits, and a hint of sweetness that I might guess as a mere touch of residual sugar. Acidity is good, giving this balance and meaning the finish is dry and citrus fresh. Stylish.

(2023) Closed with the 'Vinolock' glass stopper, this is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah and opens with lots of floral and rose-hip lift, a very summery and delicate bloom of berry fruits and lifted notes. Lovely fruit on the palate, quite intense in this house's style, but I like the softer approach here, the acid nicely pitched and the whole picture about delicacy and enjoyment. Classy, approachable stuff.