As July arrives and summer hits its stride (a little too much the last week of June!), this month's selection ventures a little off the beaten track - a red from the ancient Négrette heartland of south-west France, a single-plot Pouilly-Fumé from one of the Loire's most dependable estates, and a fragrant, floral rosé from the high-altitude vineyards of Haute-Provence.

This case includes:

 

2 x Domaine Roumagnac
Sud Ouest - Fronton
'Finca'

Fronton is one of France's most distinctive (and least-known) appellations, sitting just north of Toulouse in the heart of Gascony. Its signature grape, Négrette, is found almost nowhere else in the world: low in tannin, deeply aromatic, and producing reds that are both approachable and genuinely individual.

Domaine Roumagnac's Finca is a fine example: vivid crimson in the glass, with aromas of violet, blackberry and dark cherry layered over subtle earthy notes. The palate is silky and medium-bodied, with a freshness that sets it apart from heavier southern French reds. Ideal with grilled duck, lamb, or simply enjoyed on its own on a warm evening.

2 x Domaine Masson Blondelet
Loire - Pouilly Fume
'Clos du Chateau Paladi'

Domaine Masson-Blondelet is one of Pouilly-sur-Loire's most consistent producers, year after year delivering Sauvignon Blancs of real precision and elegance. The Clos du Chateau Paladi comes from a single small plot of 45-year-old vines, fermented in stainless steel and aged on fine lees for a minimum of two years before release - a level of patience unusual for the appellation, and one that shows in the glass.

Pale gold with a lifted, expressive nose of white peach, grapefruit and classic flinty minerality. The palate is soft and round with beautifully integrated acidity and a long, clean finish.

2 x Chateau de Rousset
Provence - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Rosé Fruite

Chateau de Rousset sits at altitude in the recently formed Pierrevert appellation, where the vineyards benefit from both the power of the southern sun and the cooling influence of the alpine air above. The result is a rosé that combines Provençal warmth with a freshness you don't always find at lower elevations.

Les Coquelicots - named for the poppies that grow wild across the estate - is made from Grenache Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vermentino and a touch of Muscat, which gives the wine its distinctive floral lift. Pale and pretty in the glass, with aromas of currant, rose petal, white flowers and a hint of lychee.

 

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