Keen to acquire a vieilles vignes property, Basile Saint-Germain fell in love with the Domaine des Aurelles near Pézenas, and moved there in 1995. Originally a native of the Médoc, he had worked for two years at Château Latour, and – in common with his partner, Caroline Voisin – had had years of experience in Cognac. Together, they put into practice the skills and single-minded focus they had acquired from their home region… tailoring them carefully to their new home terroir, on the edge of the Nizas plateau, 30km from the Mediterranean. The hills feature Villafranchian sandy-gravel soil and basalt scree. The domain is adept in its use of phytobiology – the study of plants to avoid the use of fertiliser. Its vinification methods involve very little intervention.

Produced from a hillside vineyard, this blend of Carignan and Grenache is raised exclusively in vats to preserve its direct, fresh fruitiness. The Solen cuvée is characterized by energy, generosity and voluptuous flavours of black fruit and stone fruit. Pure, with a noticeable tannic structure, the wine is nonetheless delicate and reserved on tasting. Matured in vats for 48 months, decant this wine 2 hours before serving; it will pair excellently with meat in sauce.