Mas Olivier Faugeres Rouge 2022

Faugères sits high in the hills above Béziers, and its wines show a little more lift and definition than the Languedoc's rounder styles. This one's led by Syrah, with Carignan and a touch of Grenache, aged around six months in oak for extra shape. You get plenty of blackberry and spice, a thread of Mediterranean herbs and a dry, savoury finish. It's generous and unmistakeably Mediterranean, yet there's a freshness and grip that hold it all together.

Goes well with grilled lamb, cassoulet or ratatouille - the ripe fruit and herbs tie in neatly with rich Mediterranean flavours.

Mas Olivier embodies the spirit of Faugères with its roots lying deep in the region's history. Beginning as a grower's collective way back in 1959, the co-op now shapes over half the appellation's output, earning a reputation for quality along the way. Their vineyards enjoy the best of both worlds: Mediterranean warmth tempered by elevation and ample rainfall. Their commitment to sustainable practices is there to see and shows in their expressive wines which balance ripeness with character while keeping an eye firmly on value.