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
2023 Outstanding Mediterranean year; Roussillon Grenache and Syrah of intense concentration and garrigue mineral depth
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.