The organic estate of Thierry Navarre is situated in the beautiful village of Roquebrun, in the Saint-Chinian region of the Languedoc-Roussillon. Thierry is 3rd generation winemaker who cultivates 13 hectares of mainly old-vine Carignan, Grenache and Syrah. He also looks after a few hectares of ancient and unusual (Thierry calls them 'forgotten') grape varieties including Terret, Grenache Gris and Ryberenc, from which this particular red is made. The late-ripening Rybeyrenc is sometimes better know as Aspiran Noir and was traditionally grown between Minervois and Clermont l'Hérault, but died out with phylloxera. However, Thierry's father had some old Ryberenc vines which have since been resurrected to produce this fruity red. It is aged in oak for 10 months.
A pale cherry in colour. The nose suggests smoke and tar with cinnamon-spiced cherries. Medium bodied on the palate with fresh and crunchy cherry fruit. The texture is smooth and the finish lingering. Beautifully balanced. Try with poached chicken with saffron rice, caillettes de Languedoc (sausages stuffed with liver and chard) or potato cake with bacon, prunes and raisins.