France — wine

Roussillon

Sun-drenched Catalan region of southern France bordering Spain, producing powerful Grenache-dominated reds, rare white varieties, and France's finest fortified wines (Banyuls, Maury). Old schist vines and extreme sun create wines of extraordinary concentration.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Outstanding vintage in Roussillon; old schist vines produced Grenache of extraordinary concentration and complexity.
2021 Cooler season with Atlantic influence; the most elegant Roussillon vintage of the decade.
2020 Classic Roussillon vintage with powerful, ripe reds and benchmark Banyuls fortified wines.
2019 Very good conditions; Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris in the whites showed unexpected freshness.
2018 Warm but balanced vintage; Maury sec and old-vine Carignan particularly successful.
2017 Long, dry summer with beneficial cooling winds. Exceptional Grenache Gris whites and Carignan reds.