After 27 years of importing wine, HPS President Dan Kravitz took the plunge and purchased his own vineyard in Roussillon. Named Cabirau after the vineyard’s original designation, the Domaine is in the town of Maury, on a hillside below the ancient Cathar fortress of Queribus. Domaine Cabirau’s first, special, prestige bottling was appropriately named “First Things First” and this is the “Second Effort” along the same lines, the flagship cuvée only made in top vintages.

Nearly 23 acres in total: 15.2 Grenache, 1.5 Syrah, 3.6 Carignan, 2.4 Macabeu. Vineyards are planted in the village of Maury in soils dominated by black schist. Parcels vary in age, and include about 13 acres of 30-35-year-old vines, 2 acres of 45-year-old vines and 4 acres of 70-year-old vines. Manually harvested and fermented in tank, it underwent malolactic fermentation in 500 L demi-muids. Select lots were identified and transferred to 2 x 25 hl foudres for extended elevage and the wine was bottled 23 months after harvest.

Loaded with ripe, red and dark fruit character, complex spice notes, and plenty of Maury minerality. Well-structured, with intense fruit and fine-grained tannins on the full-bodied palate. Very long on the finish. Drinkable on release, it will evolve gracefully for a decade. A versatile wine that will stand up to richer dishes, it is an ideal pairing for grilled lamb loin chops, tea-smoked duck, herb-crusted roast beef, and more…