Saint jean de Bebian

– Languedoc

The Languedoc is often thought of as France’s engine room, it is after all the second largest wine region in the world just behind Castilla La-Mancha. But if Languedoc is the engine room, Prieure is a Rolls Royce. It has quite a pedigree, the vineyards were first planted by Cistercian monks who also built the Priory church of Saint Jean in 1152. Just over 30 hectares is broken into 45 different blocks and 3 different major soil types; galets, basalt and limestone, Burgundy eat your heart out. 

Of course, it’s warm in the South of France, on paper these look like big wines, but in reality they have a finesse and purity that feel balanced and fresh. The varieties are the classic Southern French ones you’d expect, plus some delicious Chardonnay. With low yields and use of large old oak these are wines which have real intensity and delicious texture. Grenache is the real star of the reds here; they even have one parcel which used Chateau Rayas’ planting material and it translates as absolutely stellar stuff.