Keen to acquire a vieilles vignes property, Basile Saint-Germain fell in love with the Domaine des Aurelles near Pézenas, and moved there in 1995. Originally a native of the Médoc, he had worked for two years at Château Latour, and – in common with his partner, Caroline Voisin – had had years of experience in Cognac. Together, they put into practice the skills and single-minded focus they had acquired from their home region… tailoring them carefully to their new home terroir, on the edge of the Nizas plateau, 30km from the Mediterranean. The hills feature Villafranchian sandy-gravel soil and basalt scree. The domain is adept in its use of phytobiology – the study of plants to avoid the use of fertiliser. Its vinification methods involve very little intervention.

The powerful but unusual white cuvée is one of the South’s gold standards for Roussanne. Made purely from this variety, the wine has a wonderfully creamy texture, of the calibre of a Hermitage, and proven ageing potential. Between 1700 and 3500 bottles of this cuvée are produced and it is aged in 350-litre barriques.