Rhône valley, old-vine Grenache on the top of a plateau, riverbed stones—if you think that sounds like a recipe for success, you’d be correct. Stones aren’t unique to Châteauneuf, by the way. They are also found in humble, off-the-beaten path Cairanne, an oft–overlooked appellation with great terroir.
      Catherine Le Goeuil set up shop in Cairanne a little over twenty years ago and hasn’t looked back. During that time, she converted her vines to organic viticulture and honed her winemaking craft. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermentation is natural, and the wines are bottled without filtration. What ends up in your glass is greater than the sum of the parts: an inky, royal purple robe gives way to aromas of black licorice and Provençal olives. The palate has meatiness, with grain and texture—it sinks in and lingers, serving as a reminder that you’ve found a wine not just of great value, but true quality from one of the village’s best. –Clark Z. Terry