What better red wines to accompany summer barbeques than Southern French reds? That’s also what I thought this summer and of course turned into action on several occasions. First was a bottle of 2007 Sorcières by the Domaine du Clos des fées, a blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah representing the estates’ entry level wine. Big gulps out of big glasses were emptying this bottle in a pace that would make every Oktoberfest aficionado proud. Of course this was due to the uncomplicated yet appealing personality of the wine. A fruity and sexy nose of cherries and mixed to a little exotic touch reminding coconut and cocoa, as well as some spices and a touch of garrigue is enticing anyone to bring its glass to the mouth. The palate is fruity and smooth. There is intense voluptuous fruit, but still not appearing exaggerated like some jammy New World wines or some modern Ribera del Duero. It is actually just right in its fruit-intensity; a little more fruit sweetness and the wine would appear kitschy and cheap. Plus: the wine has just enough tannic structure that lends some personality without losing its lightness and easy-drinking ability. It also finishes on a quite nice length which is of course on the fruit and luckily without the burning alcohol that can be found in quite some Southern French wines. So we have a wine that is intense, fruity and light at the same time! Great value and so well drinkable even during summer! 88-89 points.