Domaine les Terres Promises 'Promises A Ma Guise'

The vibe: Domaine Les Terres Promises, which translates to "the promised lands," sits at high elevation on the eastern side of Mount Sainte Baume in the Coteaux-Varois appellation in Provence. Jean-Christophe Comor, the leader of this winery, made a rather unusual transition from successful but jaded politician to well-regarded natural Provençale winemaker. This cuvée 'A ma guise' is a particular blend of upwards of 16 different red and white varieties harvested early at the domaine - in August in order to make a light, easy-drinking style of wine. Red cherry, wild red berries, lots of herbs and warm stone, super light body. Crushable.

The winemaker: Jean-Christophe Comor’s Domaine is so perfectly situated, he named it Terres Promises, or The Promised Lands. In fact, the land, though situated in the Coteaux Varois of Provence, is entirely unique for the region, residing both at high elevation at 400m and inland 30km from the Mediterranean coastline. This permits the coveted lengthy ripening season, allowing for retention of racy acidity in his wines, a relatively uncommon attribute in Provençal reds. This acidity meshes elegantly with undertones of garrigue, the leafy scrubland underbrush typical to this neck of the woods, and results in a unique expression that we can’t get enough of.