A lovely, gastronomic wine, this is elegant with delicate aromatics and a ripe, fleshy-textured palate. On the outskirts of the village of Cuers, Chteau Gairoird is a 45ha domaine belonging to an old Provenal family the counts of Pierrefeu but not at all flashy or posh. Olivier, who is the current count, is a quiet and thoughtful man. He works his vineyards organically so uses no chemicals or pesticides and is moving away from selling in bulk to establishing a reputation for his own bottled wines, so this is the first time they have been available in the UK. The terroir is classic Provence with free-draining, chalky-clay soil dotted with galets and, with wonderful echoes of Jean de Florette, the Chteau has its own source.
2015 Vintage: 'The Wine Merchant Top 100' 2016