Wine Region: Roussillon

(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) It's noteable that this wine contains 10-15% white and pink grapes in the blend, and though the colour is a deep cerise, it seems to have extra perfume. From a recently purchased Grenache vineyard, whole bunches were fermented in demi-muids (500L barrels) and after 15 months of ageing the best, single 500L barrel, was bottled as The Wizard's Hat. There's a bright, juicy raspberry character showing sweetness and a pleasing tartness, but it is underpinned by quite a rich depth of fruit that is darker, with a creamy weight of quality, polished oak. Tannins are elegant, balance is too, for a new star in the Domaine's line-up.

(2026) From one hectare of 80-year-old vines this was fermented in a combination of steel and open barrels, delicacy sought by using only free run juice and the first, gentle pressing. It was aged in a single, 500-litre new oak barrel - barrel number 36. There are real aromatics here, some florals and a suggestion of just-after-the-rain forest floor. Small, intense black fruits fill in on the nose and palate, where there is a chocolate density to the tannins. A finely-honed edge of acidity gives a certain steeliness to the finish. Club members buy for £32.

(2026) On a very warm summer evening I chilled this for 15 minutes in the fridge which suited this fresh style of Grenache well. Reading the estate's info later I see it is partly made with carbonic maceration, the technique common in red Beaujolais, which often suits a light chill so it was a lucky hunch. It doesn't show the 'bubblegum' character that some wines made by this techique exhibit, but there is a lift and cherry brightness to the aromas. In the mouth there's more of a gravelly crunch to the fruit, think cranberries and savoury redcurrants, the tannins moderate and the acid balance making for a very nice mouthful of wine. £18 for club members.

(2026) This delicious white wine is made from ancient vines belonging to Jean-Marc Lafage, some of them over 100 years old. It's a blend of Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc with a little Roussanne, around 20% seeing some barrel ageing. I think this represents a great bargain, especially at the club price of £15. The nose is redolent of honeysuckle and peach, a touch of citrus peel too. In the mouth it is textured and crammed with fruit flavour, but always edged by its acidity and with a savoury note of bay and peppercorn that adds to the immense, 12.5% alcohol, drinkability.

(2026) Previous vintages were called 'Domaine of the Bee', but a tiny crop of Carignan and Grenache Noir because of weather conditions in 2024 meant Justin and Amanda had to supplement their fruit by purchasing from neighbours, hence the name change to 'Land of the Bee', this not being a strictly Domaine-grown bottling. The blend was aged in a mix of 500L and 225L barrels, one-third new, for 16 months. The colour is deep but vibrant and the nose has an earthy, spicy depth, more plums than cherries, with a delightful hint of garrigue herbs and flowers. In the mouth this is a silky, supple wine of density, the oak giving chocolate and hint of espresso to add to the sumptuous character of the wine. Tannins really are smooth too, but the acid balance gives clarity to the finish. A really good vintage of this wine.

(2026) From English MW Justin Howard-Sneyd's family domaine in the Roussillon, this blends Grenache, Grenache Gris and Syrah in a pale Provence style. An attractive nose of rose-hip and strawberry, a light, floral, cherry scent too. In the mouth it is dry but has lovely ripeness. It's a refreshing and zesty style this, but a little creamy roundness on the palate gives some breadth and a lingering fruitiness that runs into a dry, cranberry and redcurrant finish. Note the price falls to £13.20 for those who become members of Domaine of the Bee's club.

(2024) A pale, Provençal-style pink made from Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris and Syrah, this bursts with redcurrant and raspberry red fruitiness on the nose, a little Parma violet lift too. The palate is dry, the tartness of summer red berries as well as the light  juiciness of fruit. It's light- to medium-bodied, but again there's just a little phenolic grip as well as the citrus acidity to balance and ensure this finishes dry and appetising. Wine Club members pay £12.80.

(2024) Made to show 'the lighter side' of Grenache. Whole bunches are feremented, with 70% of the fruit coming from winemaking friend of the domaine, Jean-Marc Lafage, who also carries out some carbonic maceration. Vibrant, purple-tinged crimson, aromas are really cherry-bright and foral, a little bit of estery Beaujolias style too, and very attractive. The palate is soft, brightly but densely fruity, loads of supple, fleshy red berries and a hint of pomegranate, then a nicely bittersweet finish showing good acidity and moderate tannin for a free-flowing finish. Wine Club members buy for £16.00.

(2024) This is 100% Carignan from the 80+ year old La Roque vineyard at Domaine of the Bee. Fermentation is in both stainless steel and 500-litre barrels, with a further year in French oak barrel, plus one in American oak barrels, all 500-litre. Dark, spicy and plummy, there's a smoky suggestion of real depth here. The fruit has a supple, rich but elegantly understated succulence and depth. The oak integrates very nicely indeed, creamy and dark, a swirl of mocha onto suede-like tannins and a juicy bramble acidity. Long and concentrated into the finish. Wine Club members buy for £20.