2015 LQLC Cabernet Sauvignon, IGP Vaucluse, Les Quelles de la Coste

The small farm on which Les Quelles de la Coste is based has been owned by John Malkovich and his partner Nicole Peyran since the 1980s, but it was only in 2008, after the retirement of their tenant farmer, that the wine-loving actor decided to plant vines. A contrarian by nature and a lover of Russian River Pinot Noir, they eschewed the classic local varieties and planted Pinot and Cabernet. This choice was not as esoteric as it would first seem as the property sits on an ancient lakebed with many natural springs (quelles) and so is much cooler than the surrounding countryside. Ralf Hoegger, who had formerly managed Tenuta Il Palagio in Tuscany, is now on board to drive quality. A conversion to organics and a new winemaking team followed his joining. The wines are now bold in style, but not without elegance, and they reflect their owner, who also designed the labels, to perfection.

Hand harvested and destemmed, there was 2 days of pre fermentation maceration before alcoholic fermentation over 10 days at up to 30C with pumping over and punching down. There were then another 10 days on the skins before the wine was run off to barrel for 12 months's maturation on the fine lees.

Ripe and sweet on the nose with some baked notes and dark black berries. Rich on the palate with lovely freshness balancing the sweet fruits.

Rare rib of beef. Slow roasted lamb