Le Vignes de Bila-Haut, Cotes du Roussillon Villages (France) 2016

The beauty of Roussillon is the rare combination of quality with value. This blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan exhibits exceptional fruit purity, intriguing complexity and exquisite balance at a very modest price. What you taste is what the French in the south call garrigue, meaning the there is an earthy minerality that reflects the soils of Roussillon. On the palate the wine is smooth and fruit-inspired, showing red fruits and black fruits, with an excellent balance between fruit and acidity and nary a hint of oak (the wine is aged in vats). The finish is long and inviting, as in inviting another sip.