A pure Mourvèdre, from an old plot on fluvial terraces, with rolled pebbles and grey clays. Whole bunch vinification preserves all the energy of the grape, then twelve months of aging in foudres sets the structure without hardening it. The wine opens with black fruits, dried herbs, a hint of pepper, and that Mediterranean undertone reminiscent of garrigue without being heavy. The palate is deep, structured, yet surprisingly fresh, with tight tannins and real length. A Mourvèdre with character, more vertical than massive. Prieuré Saint Jean de Bébian Benoît Pontenier has been at the helm of Prieuré Saint Jean de Bébian since 2015, breathing new energy into the iconic Languedoc estate. With guidance from the legendary Jean-François Ganevat, Benoît is letting the land speak for itself, and every choice is made with nature in mind. Organic, biodynamic, and with a focus on healthy, ripe fruit—Benoît’s approach is all about purity. The estate has a storied past—from its roots in the first century CE when it was gifted to a Roman centurion, Bébianus, as a reward for his battle exploits, to the 1970s when Alain Roux planted Syrah from Domaine Chave, Mourvèdre from Tempier, and Grenache from Château Rayas. The resulting wines have a remarkable energy, with complexity that invites contemplation as well as freshness that invites you back for another sip. “I attach tremendous importance to the finish of a wine,” Benoît tells us. “It’s fundamental–it’s what you remember, like the end of a book or a film. I hope that people have this sensation of vibration or salivation when they taste a very good wine without artifice. Once you know this feeling, it’s very difficult to go back to more boxed-in wines.”