You don’t just happen to make it onto the cover of France’s leading wine magazine, “La Revue du Vin de France.” The fact that Agathe and Amaury are a good-looking couple certainly helped, but the real key to their success is the quality of their wines—and a lot of hard work.

The two met in Afghanistan. A few years later, they returned to France to start a family. In the Hérault, there isn’t much to do if you’re not making wine. So they learned the business from the ground up before taking over their winery, Villa Tempora.

Today they produce outstanding wines from the region’s grape varieties. And when they’re not posing for their next cover shoot, they tend to their

vines, some of which are up to 70 years old. “Les Copains d’Abord” is a cuvée made from Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault. To be honest, the origin of the name is a mystery to me. Perhaps it goes back to the song by Georges Brassens, or maybe the wine is simply meant to be served “friends first.” Either way, with its fruity lightness, your friends are sure to enjoy this wine.

The wine is light red in color and has aromas of strawberry purée, blackberries, and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and intense, but finishes with a fresh finish.

89/100 points Konstantin Baum