Cabalié Cuvée Vieilles Vignes 2017

Parker rated winemaker Hervé Sabardeil has been making this big, ripe Catalan red for more than a decade now. Recently he made a commemorative blend that proved so popular he’s done it again. Hervé sourced the grapes from the same slate soils of Maury in the Roussillon, a town where the winemaking heritage dates back to the 2nd century BC. The vines are 60 to 100 years old, so yields are minute – around half of that for, say, a Grand Cru claret. This really adds to the power and intensity of the wine. Made from Grenache with a large portion of spicy, black fruit Carignan, this magnificent, weighty red even manages to out power the original Cabalié. Not to be taken lightly, it’s ideal with garlic roasted lamb, rich stews or hard cheeses.