France — wine

Roussillon Wine Region

France's southernmost wine region at the Spanish border, enclosed by Pyrenees, Canigou massif, and Mediterranean. 325 days of sunshine annually; garrigue-covered schist and granite soils. Grenache, Carignan, Syrah for reds; Muscat for natural sweet wines (Muscat de Rivesaltes). Also produces Rivesaltes and Banyuls VDN.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Extremely dry year; old vines on schist performed best; concentration and garrigue intensity remarkable
2021 Good balance of heat and cool nights; Grenache elegant; Carignan showed exceptional freshness
2020 Hot vintage; Gauby's old vines produced dense, structured reds with ageing potential; Macabeu profound
2019 Classic Roussillon heat; careful timing of harvest essential; best wines show concentration with balance
2018 Variable; some late rain caused dilution; top estates with old vines still produced excellent results
2017 Drought year; concentrated flavours; Macabeu showed oxidative complexity early
2016 Ideal conditions; Vieilles Vignes Blanc from this year considered benchmark for aged Roussillon whites