Get ready to fall in love with Merlot all over again. This is delicious, displaying ripe blackberry fruit, violets and a whiff of truss tomato leaf. Muscular and broad, this is a well-structured Merlot with plenty of natural character.

Maison Ventenac is a modern winery with all the bells and whistles (concrete eggs and fancy tanks), located in the region of Cabardes, which is part of the larger Languedoc in France’s southwest. Cabardes as a region has put all its eggs into an unusual basket, where the wines need to be a blend of Grenache and Syrah (usually found in the Rhone) and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (usually found in Bordeaux). A blend of these proportions would be commonplace in Australia however Cabardes is one of the few in France that mix these regional grapes together. The Ventenac team do make a couple of wines under the Cabardes regional specifications, however, their true focus is throwing the rulebook out the window and focusing on single-variety wines which are bottled in smart bottles and clever labels. From rare Petite Arvine at one end to delicious Grenache at the other, you’ll be in for a treat with these delightful wines.