A fruit-packed, full-bodied blend of Grenache and Syrah, Château Canet Minervois Vieilles Vignes hails from Château Canet, a famed 19th-century estate now run by Floris Lemstra and family, and proves that the Minervois region yields some France’s best (and best priced) bottlings.

Born in Holland, Floris’s passion for wine began in Burgundy, where he worked for nearly two decades producing high-end wines people consider to be an investment—not an everyday drinking pleasure. But in the early 2000s, a trip south to a rural stretch of the Languedoc gave him some new perspective.

Though the area is subject to French wine regulations and labeling rules, its less prestigious status means winemakers can experiment much more with different grapes and techniques. Ultimately, Floris decided this creative freedom outweighed Burgundy’s reputation, and in the early 2000s, he and family relocated.

They purchased the sprawling 280-acre Château Canet, ringed by olive groves and enchanting pine forests in the Minervois, and they’ve since emerged as one of the area’s leading producers.

This is one of the best values they make, offering elegant aromas and a velvety mouthfeel that punch well above their price point. You can look forward to concentrated black and red raspberry flavors layered with herbaceous tones and toasty spice.