Cornas Les Versantes, Thomas Farge

This is Syrah with its sleeves rolled up. Sourced from the dramatic granite slopes of Cornas, Les Versantes is dark, powerful and packed with character, yet Thomas Farge brings a freshness and precision that keeps everything beautifully balanced. The nose is a heady mix of blackberries, damsons and black cherries, layered with cracked black pepper, smoky herbs, graphite and a touch of cured meat. On the palate, it's dense and concentrated, delivering wave after wave of dark fruit, liquorice, olive tapenade and stony minerality. The tannins are firm but polished, giving the wine structure and ageing potential, while a vibrant streak of acidity lifts the finish and keeps it remarkably drinkable. This is the bottle to reach for when you want a serious red with depth and swagger. Decant it, pour it generously and let it shine. Perfect with: slow-cooked lamb shoulder, charcoal-grilled ribeye, venison, beef daube or mature hard cheeses.