DOMAINE JEAN-BAPTISTE SENAT, MINERVOIS “LA NINE” 6 Bottle Case 75cl

A deep purple-red in the glass. Heady aromas of wild cherry and blackberry fruits with notes of liquorice and dried herbs. On the palate, excellent concentration and depth. Rich, opulent black fruit flavours abound with a seriously mineral backbone. The finish is lengthy with further floral flavours. Try with braised oxtail with cannellini beans, lamb wellington with a garlicky mushroom filling or a plate of garlic and bay-roasted potatoes, carrots and courgettes.

Jean-Baptiste and Charlotte Sénat have been working their fifteen hectare domaine in the heart of Minervois since 1996. They are located in Trausse-Minervois in the foothills of the Montagne Noir. The soils are limestone-clay and their mainly south-facing vineyards are set in the heart of the garrigue. They are organic and carry out all work by hand and vinification takes place with minimal intervention in a mixture of large and small casks. Only natural yeasts are used and the wines see no fining or filtration and only tiny amounts of sulphur are used in the cave. 'Mais ou est donc Ornicar' (a French language mnemonic) is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault and spends 6 months in oak barrels.