We ordered 120 bottles of Mezura rosé 2021 from Domaine La Lauzeta in May. They came and went in a week, after it won gold at the Vinum World of Rosé awards.

It was deserved recognition for this 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, aged in special small oak barrels, with acacia tops and bottoms, for over a year. Because last summer (2022) was so hot, there was significant evaporation, and a layer of flor yeast formed in the barrel; so there’s a unique anaerobic character to this vintage, lending even greater complexity.

Only 1,000 bottles were made. After we asked, cajoled and eventually pleaded, winemaker Florian Bruneau sent us the last 300.

Tawny and peach-like in colour, this is a dry, full bodied and gastronomic rosé; a wine lover’s wine, it boasts a spectrum of flavours – nectarine, redcurrant, acacia and almond. Though drinking well now, it has at least three to five years of cellar life ahead.