Turenne 2022 Cotes de Provence Cuvee Bastien Rouge

Cécile and Philippe Bénézet produce lovely organic wines on soils of sandstone with clay and limestone pebbles ("gravoches") northeast of Bandol in Provence. The cuvée "Bastien" is made from old vines of Carignan with Mourvedre and Syrah, hand harvested, fermented with wild yeasts, semi-carbonic, with minimal addition of SO2. The 2022 "Bastien" shpws aromas of blackberry and black raspberry with pepper, earth and floral notes. The palate is nicely textured with mineral notes below black fruits, citrus, spice, licorice and earth. Relatively light-bodied but with lovely density of sappy fruit. This is a delicious and versatile Provençal red that will accompany grilled meats, roast chicken, charcuterie and full-flavored cheeses. -David Lillie