2016 Vignobles Réveille ‘Jardins Court-Circuit’ Vin de France Rouge

Region: AOP Côtes de Roussillon < France

Grapes: 75% Carignan, 25% Mourvèdre

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: certified biodynamic, dry farming; gneiss and flint soils; manual harvest in boxes, vigorous hand sorting; aged on lees in concrete vat; bottled unfined/unfiltered with no added inputs or So2; 11.7% ABV

Winemaker: France Crispeels

LADY IN CHARGE: France Crispeels, single mom from Belgium who moves to the French Pyrenees, with its harsh, dry, windy climate, and starts farming biodynamically and making fresh, delicious, zero-zero wines – all on her own, no man in sight. 

France launched Réveille (which means "Rise" in French -- a reference to the growing natural wine movement in the Roussillon) in 2006, in the Agly Valley near France’s Catalan border.   Originally from Belgium, she studied architecture, film and writing, and worked in the arts before going back to (enology) school in Marseille in 2000, after her son was born.  So, it makes sense that France’s approach to winemaking – that of an artisan more than a scientist – shows in her pretty, non-linear wines (and killer labels!).  Like this Carignan/Mourvèdre blend, called Jardins ‘Court-Circuit’ (short circuit) in reference to the epic frost that destroyed her harvest in 2016, forcing her to buy grapes from friends in the surrounding area in order to have any wine to sell that vintage.  Thus, the tongue in cheek Albert Camus quote on the label "In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." The resulting wine was so good, she kept making this blend, which is incredibly fresh and light (a pleasant surprise in a region known for big, bold reds).  Super quaffable, with perky raspberry spiciness, ripping acidity and supple tannins.  An excellent day drinker!