Scents of cracked pepper, cherries and blueberries mark the nose of the 2018 Cotes du Rhone Villages Visan Terre Pourpre, a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, aged in a combination of demi-muids and foudre. Perhaps because of its altitude (400 meters above sea level), it avoids any suggestion of over-ripeness or warmth, instead registering as medium to full-bodied, with silky, fine tannins, ample focus and plenty of length on the finish.

A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, the 2017 Cotes du Rhone Villages Visan Terre Pourpre continues the successful run for this cuvée. Ripe, juicy black cherry fruit combines with licorice notes in this medium to full-bodied wine. Rich and supple on the mid-palate, it's silky on the long finish, with enough concentration and length to think it will last through 2025.

The 2016 Cotes du Rhone Villages Visan Terre Pourpre was vinified in oak and bottled in April 2018 after spending a year in foudres and demi-muids and another six months in tank. It's dominated by crisp black cherry fruit—crunchy, fresh and acid-driven yet ripe at the same time. Serve it blind to your friends who think they don't like Grenache and watch the light bulb come on.

The 2015 Cotes du Rhone Villages Visan Terre Pourpre displays lovely supple tannins, a creamy mouthfeel and no noticeable alcoholic heat. Combining black cherries with notes of cinnamon and allspice, this blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah shows lovely balance and length.

Vinified all in oak tanks, the 2014 C?tes du Rh?ne Villages Visan Terre Pourpre (80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre) comes from an up and coming appellation located in the northern, cooler part of the southern Rh?ne valley. Sporting an inky purple color as well as classic notes of dark berry and plums fruits, it’s medium-bodied, plump, rounded and fruit forward. It’s not quite as elegance as the Florescenns, yet has more fruit and texture. It should drink nicely on release.