Clos Fantine is situated in the village of Cabrerolles in the heart of the Faugeres appellation just north of Beziers in the Languedoc. The domaine is run by Olivier Andrieu along with his two sisters, Corine and Carole. There are 22 hectares in total, all farmed strictly according to biodynamic principles. Harvesting is manual and yields are low. The main grape grown is Carignan (40%) with the addition of Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre and a little Syrah and the vines are up to 80 years in age. Each cepage is vinified separately and the wine is usually blended between February and April before bottling and release. The 'Faugeres Tradition' is a blend of 40% Mourvedre, 25% Carignan, 25% Grenache and 10% Syrah and is neither filtered nor fined. It also sees no oak. With its pronounced smokiness and aromas of the surrounding garrigue, this makes for an excellent Sunday lunch wine.

A dark garnet in colour. The nose suggests dark spiced fruits with bags of smokiness and earth. On the palate, the red and black fruit flavours are layered and the texture supple and smooth leading to a lingering finish with a mineral streak. Mourvedre works particularly well with turkey and chicken. Try with one-pan roast chicken with beetroot, carrots and potatoes, roast tenderloin of turkey with new potatoes and a tarragon broth or gardiane la Camargue, a rich stew of beef shank, local herbs, orange and olives.