The Carignan ‘1903’ by Roc des Anges is a full-bodied expressive red wine, vinified in cement vat and aged for 9 months in big oak barrels. The aromas are intense and deep, on the palate the wine is smooth, elegant and spicy, with fresh and mineral aromas, and a vibrant smokey quality. A perfect accompaniment to duck cassoulet.

Roc des Anges is not the kind of domaine you expect to find in the Roussillon. Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet, both transplants from other parts of France (Côte Rotie and Normandy, respectively), have constructed a biodynamic wine sanctuary in the Vallée de l’Agly, a nearly deserted vineyard land dominated by co-ops and famous for producing fortified wine. Founded in 2001, their approach is low alcohol, hands-off, mind-on wines bottled by varietal from single sites on specific and unique soil compositions. In smell and taste, their structure and style more closely resemble that of their earthy and salty cousins from the middle of France’s Loire Valley. From old vine Carignan planted on white soil surrounded by black schist: the “Lieu-Dit” is called “Roc Blanc” which translates as White Rock.