Souverain Seguret 23

Eric Chauvin’s wines share a region and grape varietal with common Côtes du Rhônes, but little else. Chauvin’s tiny Domaine le Souverain has no website, no road sign, and barely a phone number — his cellar is a converted garage. But his wines have more complexity and depth than nearly anything else we taste at their level, and manage to remain a bargain.

The 2023 Séguret vintage is delicious, winning Gold at the local Concours d’Orange in 2024, and one of the best vintages of this wine we’ve had. The nose suggests ripe plums, and the mouth is rich and full, with just enough ripe tannin to notice. The finish is very smooth.  Souverain’s 2023 Seguret is one of those wines where the first glass calls for a second. If you’re looking for something to match the pizza you are making for tonight’s dinner, you can’t go wrong with this.