Villa Clarius 2024

Villa Clarius is a deliciously silky and supple red wine from the sun-drenched hills of southern France. Crafted from old-vine grapes, it brims with luscious red fruits and subtle spice.

Its name pays tribute to Villa Clarius, an ancient Roman winery unearthed in the small commune of Laure. The property’s remains tell of the region’s 2,000-year winemaking heritage—something head winemaker Sylvain Delabre (of Domaine de l’Oustal Blanc fame) intended this sumptuous red wine to continue with every glass.

Made at Laure’s local co-op, it showcases Carignan, the region’s flagship grape, grown on hillside vineyards of Pevriac, where the limestone-rich soils help lock in freshness despite the intense Mediterranean heat.

In the cellar, Sylvain uses carbonic maceration, a technical-sounding winemaking technique that’s actually fairly common, in which whole grape bunches are placed in an air-tight tank filled with carbon dioxide. Without any oxygen, the grapes begin to ferment from the inside out and eventually burst and release their juice—ultimately creating a wine that’s lighter in color, low in tannins and big on delicious fruit.

Here, you can look forward to layers of raspberry, strawberry, cherry and cranberry flavor that may be just a little too easy to drink. To really let this wine shine, pair it with chicken Cassoulet, a southern French staple (when in Rome, do as the Romans do!) or other another poultry dish of your choice.

However you plan to enjoy it, order soon to secure your share.