NV Domaine des Sauvaire “Mas Sauvaire” Pays d’Oc IGP

L40% Carignan, 35% Grenache, 25% Syrah

Believe it or not, the Mas Sauvaire Rouge is Hervé's “house” red. Herve poured me this at lunch one day, and it was light but deep, with gorgeous purity of earthy red fruit that was buttressed by some bright acidity and a shockingly long finish. This comes from some of his middle-aged vineyards on rocky clay soils, a blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, fermented in fiberglass tanks to preserve the essence of the terroir. Hervé composts his grape residue and then adds it back to the fields, creating a virtuous circle. When I asked what this was, he told me it was their house red that they only sold to family, friends and local establishments. Right there and then, I told him I wanted some, and the rest is history.