During my trip to the Languedoc last fall, the number of outstanding bottles I tasted made it clear—once again—that the region is underappreciated for the quality of its wines, and unrivaled in their value. Visiting Mas Champart in Saint-Chinian drove the point home poignantly: with outstanding terroir expressed in all three colors, including serious, age-worthy gems, this appellation is truly a treasure hiding in the shadow of its more prestigious Provençal and Rhône neighbors. The sponge-like rocky limestone terroir provide the vines with water in periods of drought—crucial in this hot, dry, wind-whipped climate. The resulting mineral freshness is the trademark of Mas Champarts’ wines, along with a southern generosity and the inimitable aromatic footprint of the wild garrigue surrounding the vineyards. Mourvèdre thrives in these conditions, and this noble Mediterranean grape features prominently in their Saint Chinian rosé.
     Hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented rosés are a rare breed nowadays, but this bright, fleshy example has the herbal complexity and refreshing crispness to match many a Bandol—at a fraction of the price. Garrigue abounds: rosemary, thyme, lavender, and many more divine scents make Mas Champart’s rosé intriguing, refreshing, and, most important, delicious. Just as a bottle of this can be inexplicably drained in no time, our stock will disappear before we know it, so we recommend foresight in planning your future rosé consumption.