Laurent Fell has some of the highest vines in the Ardeche, on south facing slopes at 500m altitude on the edge of the wild and mountainous Cevennes forest. The soil is sandstone formed in the Triassic period coming from the degradation of granite that was recompressed by pressure when the sea settled in this time. There are large quartz pebbles, shale and flint from the glacial scree. This combined with the elevation of the vineyards brings freshness and minerality to the wines. He’s on his own up there, which is beneficial as there is no risk of pollutants from other vineyards and plenty of biodiversity. A beautiful antique press which is situated above the tanks so all the juice flows by gravity.. Bottled with zero additions, these are wines of immense drinkability, stability & value. 

We were delighted to get an unexpected re-stock of this delicious wine. 100% Viognier, pressed direct, gravity fed into tank for 24 hours for the gross lees to settle, then aged on the fine lees for around 11 months before bottling. It's peachy and fresh with a little spritz, Laurent always manages to balance the big fruit with freshness and acidity, making this wine just so easy to get on with.

The 2023 Viognier is a fresher brighter style than 2022, packing in a punch of peachy fruit and pouring a hazy white. A lot of fun.

Delicious 'rose' produced from Gamay. Laurent makes this from just the free run juice (the juice that comes as the grapes macerate, rather than from actually pressing the grapes). It gives extraordinary delicacy to the wine. Aromatic and incredibly refreshing, it is more light red and than pink wine, but all the better for it!

Delicious 'rose' produced from Gamay. Laurent makes this from just the free run juice (the juice that comes as the grapes macerate, rather than from actually pressing the grapes). It gives extraordinary delicacy to the wine. Aromatic and incredibly refreshing, it is more light red and than pink wine, but all the better for it! The 2023 is light and fresh with a beautiful line of acidity, a classic and a standout vintage.

100% Gamay, the press juice. This is always a favourite and the 2023 is a brilliant vintage. Soft red fruit, silky tannins and a lot of freshness, a bottle that we reach for, again and again.

100% Gamay from his oldest vines. A similar vinification to the Virar Rouge, but the wine tends to have more depth and concentration. 2022 is a particularly stunning vintage and quite remarkable value. 

100% Gamay from his oldest vines. A similar vinification to the Virar Rouge, but the wine tends to have more depth and concentration. 2023 is a lovely vintage, with nice concentration, silky tannins, but very balanced and drinkable.

Syrah & Chatus, a native varietal that is particularly rare and only found in mountainous vineyards around here and in the Savoie. Laurent destems the fruit and gives it around 7 days maceration before ageing in tank. The 2023 is softer than 2022, already drinking beautifully with soft dark fruit.

100% Merlot from 50+ year old vines. Laurent destems the fruit and gives it around 7 days of maceration before ageing in tank. Though 2022 was warm, this managed too have be remarkably fresh, while still brimming with ripe dark fruit. 

100% Merlot from 50+ year old vines. Laurent destems the fruit and gives it around 7 days of maceration before ageing in tank. The 2023 is all silky black fruit, a touch fresher than 2022 with lithe luscious tannins.