The backside of this region is Corbieres, but this opaque purple-colored 2011 Kerbuccio would blow away just about any Corbieres. A wine of great intensity, it offers up copious floral, blackberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with hints of charcoal, scorched earth and wet rocks. Dense and full-bodied with tremendous richness and supple tannins, this beauty should drink well for 5-7 years, possibly longer. One of the top wine values I have ever tasted is from one of the newest appellations in France, Maury Sec. Maury produces abundant sweet wines (largely from Grenache), but this is a totally dry red made from 40% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Grenache aged in concrete tanks for 8 months, and bottled unfiltered. It comes from the black schist soils of this appellation.Importer: Eric Solomon Selections, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565