The charismatic Jean-Michel Alquier represents the fifth generation of this, the top property in Faugères. Faugères was lucky enough to break away from the heterogeneous Coteaux du Languedoc umbrella appellation as far back as 1982, although some may say that it has yet to perform strongly on the export market. Given the forceful personality of M Alquier, allied to the eloquence of his wines, one would be unwise to nominate anyone else to be an ambassador for the region.

The Faugères soil is dominated by grey schist, friable schist apparently, if that is not oxymoronic. The resulting wines, where vines are old and yields are low, as here, can be rich, savoury and take on complex gamey notes with maturity. Located just to the north-east of Beziers, Faugères deserves more attention.

The significance of the eponymous yellow house is not entirely clear. What is clear is that this is a prestige cuvée, made up of 80% old vine Grenache and aged for 14 months in barriqus, 10% of which are new.  The wine has an attractive nose of cherry, praline and woodsmoke; the palate is creamy and dense, with balancing acidity, hints of garrigue and a rounded finish, full of Mediterranean warmth. 
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Domaine Gros’Noré is close to the sea, its clay-limestone soils etched into a natural amphitheatre, providing a unique microclimate with the most pleasing maritime conditions. Owner and winemaker Alain Pascal has rebuilt his father’s old winery by hand. His father was, how shall we put this, of a not-modest stature and the name of the property is a specific, affectionate reference to his girth. The winemaking is natural, taking advantage of “marine humidity” and plenty of sunshine.

This is a blend of 90 percent Mourvèdre, the balance shared between Cinsault and Carignan. The 2009 is richer and fuller than its immediate forebear; black cherry and pot pourri aromas lead to a profound and powerful mid-palate, quite challenging in the intensity of its youth, but with no lack of food-friendly potential.