From 25-year-old vines. Supple spicy, blackberry, earthy nose follows on to a dark concentrated core of fruit on the palate with good ripe tannins and a lick of acid to clean up. Quite lovely.

The estate is in the deep south of the Côtes du Rhône appellation right next to Costieres de Nimes. Between the 11th and 13th century the domaine was run by the knights’ templars (the fighting monks) and the buildings were used as barracks. Parc St Charles soil is ancient alluvial and resembles Gigondas or Chateauneuf with large boulders scattering the vineyards. The high proportion of very old vines on the estate adds to the brilliance of the wines.