Château Ricardelle Vignelacroix Rouge 2017 La Clape, Languedoc, France 75cl

Château Ricardelle sits on a steep hillside in La Clape, the limestone massif that rises between Narbonne and the Mediterranean. There has been a wine estate here since at least the fourteenth century, and since 1990 the oenologist Bruno Pellegrini has run its vineyards, combining modern winemaking with a respect for the site’s long history.

Vignelacroix is the estate’s flagship red and carries the La Clape appellation. It brings together Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, each contributing something different: Grenache for warmth and red fruit, Syrah for spice and colour, and Carignan for freshness and grip. A portion of the wine is aged in barrel for several months, which adds depth without smothering the fruit. The sea air and the wild garrigue herbs that cover the hillside leave their mark on the wine’s character.

The 2017 vintage gave ripe, concentrated fruit, and the wine balances that generosity with the freshness the maritime setting brings, so it stays lively despite the southern warmth.

Expect blackcurrant and darker berry fruit on the nose, framed by spice and the scrubland herbs of the garrigue. The palate is silky and well balanced, the tannins fine, and the finish is long and savoury at 14.5% alcohol. The barrel ageing shows as texture and depth rather than obvious oak.

For anyone who enjoys a southern Rhône blend or the wider wines of the Languedoc, this is a rewarding and characterful example from one of La Clape’s better-known estates, and good value for the quality in the glass. Serve it with grilled lamb, a cassoulet, roast vegetables or a board of southern French cheeses.