2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence

An iconic producer of traditionally styled Châteauneufs, Pegau has a vast worldwide group of highly loyal fans, many of whom have trekked to the estate for a visit with the extremely hospitable and entertaining Féraud family. Laurence Féraud makes no apologies for the sometimes rustic character of Pegau's wines, which are sourced from the domain's 21 hectares of vines, made entirely with whole clusters and aged in old foudres and demi-muids for two years before bottling without fining or filtration. On the contrary, Féraud relishes the opportunity to continue the family tradition of making "wild wines that have their own personality. Like people with a unique character, not everybody is going to be in love with them." There will be a Cuvée Da Capo produced in 2015, she told me, making it the first to be bottled since the 2010.