Stony and smoky, and full of garrigue and black cherry, it is an epic wine that opens up wonderfully now.

Clairette, an unsung hero of the south, is the main grape here, undoubtedly one of many key elements to this singular wine.

Grenache is joined by Syrah and a drop of Mourvèdre to create this delightful everyday red scented of herbes de Provence and ripe black cherry.

Elevation and abundant limestone combine to give taut, high-toned wines with delicate floral aromas and stimulating mineral freshness.

Deep, concentrated, and refreshingly saline, this is like great Cornas with Mediterranean influences.

February Club Rouge ~ The flavors are mostly deep and dark—stones, licorice, black olive, and blackberry—but the frame is lithe.

If there were a Hall of Fame for French bistro reds, Poignée would be a first-ballot inductee—vibrant and classy, it’s the southern France counterpart to our favorite Morgons.

A relatively rare beast, Serge’s blanc is a ripe, honey-infused cornucopia of fruit.

Leydiers at Domaine de Durban are particularly proud of their Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, a vin doux naturel, as they are among the last to craft it in the traditional style.

This is about as quaffable as the region’s rouges get.