The South of France has always been hot, but like everywhere else in Europe, it’s getting hotter. Even with varietals adapted to warm climates, winemakers often struggle to achieve freshness in their wines. Winemaker Nicolas Haeni of Séguret is a master of balance.
Haeni’s vines lie on a terraced slope in the hills above Séguret, perfectly positioned to offset the blazing hot Provencal sun. Domaine Malmont’s vines benefit from high (cooler) elevation and plentiful airflow, enabling the grapes to reach maturity without becoming baked or dried out.
Haeni now makes two Séguret cuvées — “Petit Rouge” and “Rouge.” Both are excellent, and carry Malmont’s signature vibrant mouthfeel — today we’re focused on the little brother.
Petit Rouge 2019 is 70/30 syrah/grenache, aged 100% in tank (no oak). The resulting wine is simply delightful, dark and complex with classic syrah notes of violets and blackberry — by nose you might mistake it for a Northern Rhône pure syrah. In the mouth the grenache shines through a bit more, with beautiful depth a splash of red fruit and cinnamon.
At 13.5% alcohol it retains a gorgeous freshness alongside the dark, meaty fruit. Think of it as a real upgrade on a bistro syrah — crisp, lively, dark and cool. Serve with autumn fare, or as a floral glass on its own after a workday.
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Malmont Séguret “Petit Rouge” 2019
bottle price: $22
