Rondeur Reserve Appassimento VdF

A Cabernet Sauvignon from the Languedoc, vinified using the Appassimento method: The grapes are dried before fermentation, which concentrates sugar, aromas and structure — a process more commonly found in northern Italy, but here giving the southern French terroir a new dimension.

Behind this is the La Grange winery, which Renate and Rolf Freund revamped in 2008. The vines grow amidst the garrigue of the Languedoc—the Mediterranean scrubland of rosemary, thyme, and lavender, whose aromas are directly imprinted on the wine. The cellar is headed by oenologist Eric Thomas, who grew up in the Languedoc and has nearly 20 years of experience in the region. Kyriakos Kynigopoulos, named France's Oenologist of the Year, serves as a consultant.

In the glass, the Rondeur Reserve displays dark berry fruit—blackberry, blackcurrant—underpinned by the herbal and resinous notes of the garrigue. On the palate, a mineral structure emerges, adding tension to the concentrated fruit profile. The finish is long and spicy. Serving temperature: 16–18 °C. Pairs well with braised lamb, ratatouille, or strong hard cheeses such as Ossau-Iraty.