A plot selection of the winery’s three main terroirs goes into this vintage. Grenache from a single clone is joined by the winery’s wonderful Syrah to bring in the spicy and peppery aftertaste. Like the rest of the estate, the grapes are grown with the HEV certification (High Environmental Value) with specific ground cover based on soil type and exposure. The grapes are hand-picked, something that’s essential as it locks in the grape’s integrity but is so rare to find. Next comes Jean-Etienne and François Matton’s expertise, knowledge of the vineyard, and delicate touch from winemaking to bottling to produce this extraordinary vintage.

Best served chilled (10-12°) rather than cold so the 281 can be beautifully paired with flavoursome dishes, premium shellfish whether it be served simply like roasted lobster, rock lobster in banana leaf or cooked in a scallop risotto. Spicy dishes like Peking duck for its sweet and sour flavour, beef curry for its fragrant spices or delicious yakitori grilled with its sweet sauce. Summery salads served with lobster, avocado and grapefruit quarters. Sophisticated berry desserts.