La Barbe Merlot, France

La Barbe Merlot (Pays d’Oc, France) is a full-bodied, plush red blend (90 % Merlot, 10 % Mourvèdre) with rich stewed black fruits—plum, blackberry—spiced by hints of liquorice and oak. The palate is savoury, fresh, mouth-filling, with minimal tannins and a gripping, smooth finish—great with hearty, savoury dishes.