A family owned vineyard for several generations Château Les Ollieux Romanis is in Montseret (renowned for honey flavoured with thyme, rosemary and lavender), situated in the heart of the Boutenac region, an area dedicated to the culture of the vine since Roman times. The vines are located on a sheltered hillside facing south east. The Cuvée Classique Rouge is a blend of Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah from vines planted on hard red clay soil. The wine is fermented and then aged in tank for 12-18 months. Luscious red and black flavours are counterpointed by the drier garrigue notes of bayleaf and rosemary, as well as tobacco leaf and pepper. The Cuvée Classique Blanc is a mixture of Roussanne and Marsanne from yields of no more than 40hl/ha. Vinification is in tank with an upbringing in oak involving a period on the lees with regular batonnage. This yields intriguing flavours of orange blossom and exotic fruits, such as ripe banana, pineapple, lychee and papaya. A peculiar wine best enjoyed by a frumious bandersnatch after a hard day’s whiffling through a tulgey wood. The Cuvée Prestige Rouge from Carignan vines (up to 100 years old) plus the usual grape suspects (see Classique blend) has concentrated flavours of black cherries, cocoa butter, liquorice and balsam. Aged in wood for about fifteen months this Corbières is impressive in youth, but could happily snort awhile in the Seven Sleepers’ Den.

“Lo Petit Fantet” is a blend of old vines Carignan with Syrah and Grenache grown on limestone-clay. After a carbonic maceration, vinification is in cement without sulphur using indigenous yeast. Cherry-red with violets glints Lo Petit has an intense nose with sweet raspberry and kirsch fruit, lovely balance despite its powerful alcohol and a herbal undertow. Try it chilled.