Domaine Baille Carignan Vielles Vignes 2003 - £6.95Price on from Laithwaites.An authentic taste of southern France! For centuries the Carignan grape grew high in the Pyrenees but now this big, black bruiser is almost gone - uprooted in favour of more commercial Chardonnay and Cabernet. Luckily some winemakers left theirs in! Made from hand-picked, low yielding old vines (some in excess of 100 years) at an award-winning, family owned property, this is deliciously concentrated and intense 100% Carignan - dark plum with mouthwatering aromas and ripe flavours of dark berries, damson and spice ... and smoothly warming alcohol. Supple enough to enjoy on its own, Domaine Baille makes a juicy partner for char-grilled steaks, rack of lamb or spicy butcher's sausages. So good that the owner of Chateau Valandraud, a top St Emilion winemaker, tried to buy some of their vines as he recognised the enormous potential and quality of their terroir.