Le Rif is a very good example of how serious and elegant Vacqueyras can be. This is not just a big, fruity Rhône wine – it simultaneously shows ripe red and black berries, Mediterranean herbs, pepperiness and earthy depth.

The aroma reveals blackcurrant, raspberry, ripe cherry and dark berries, joined by black pepper, dried herbs, liquorice and the typical Rhône garrigue – the scent of wild Mediterranean herbs and shrubs. On the palate the wine is concentrated, meaty and layered, but not clumsily heavy. Ripe tannins provide structure, acidity keeps the wine fresh, and the finish is long, herbal and lightly liquorice-tinged. As it evolves, nuances of leather, forest floor and dried rosemary emerge.

La Ferme du Mont is Stéphane Vedeau's Rhône domaine, for which the expression of terroir is paramount. The producer's winemaking philosophy is quite close to nature, and synthetic pesticides and chemicals are avoided in the vineyards. What is especially interesting about Le Rif is the old Mourvèdre. The small berries of late-harvested old Mourvèdre vines are one of the keys to this cuvée's character. The grapes are picked by hand into small crates and the wine is fermented slowly in steel tanks.