Tucked into the northern reaches of the Gard department, between Nîmes, Avignon and the Cévennes foothills, the Duché d’Uzès Appellation d’Origin Protégé is one of France’s better kept wine secrets. The region takes its name from Uzès, a honey-stoned market town that held the title of France’s first duchy, created in 1565. Its ducal family still lives in the château that dominates the centre of the old town.

Unfortunately, few wine drinkers outside the region have heard of it. The appellation was only granted AOC / AOP status in 2013, and it remains tiny beside its more famous neighbours. To the east, the Rhône Valley commands international attention with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Rasteau, Vacqueras and Côte-Rôtie. To the south and west, the broader Languedoc Roussillon dominates the conversation about value and innovation. Duché d’Uzès sits between them all, often overlooked by visitors who come to see the nearby Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct or the lavender-scented lanes of Provence.

That obscurity is also part of its appeal. Production is small, with currently only 285 hectares of vines scattered across roughly twenty villages, and most bottles never leave France. The region only currently exports around 10% of its total production. The terroir of Duché d’Uzès is distinctive: limestone and clay soils, garrigue scrubland, and vineyards planted at moderate altitudes, where cooler nights and the drying Mistral winds preserve freshness in the grapes.

The wines undoubtedly reflect their Rhône and Mediterranean heritage. The reds are built around blends of Syrah, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Carignan, offering spice, dark brambly fruits and an herbal, sun-kissed character. Whites, also made from a blend of grapes such as Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Vermentino, are aromatic and textured with a saline maritime lift. For most producers, dry Rosés made from circa 50/50% Syrah and Grenache Noir, round out their ranges.

Many estates are family-run, often farming organically. For curious travelers and adventurous drinkers, Duché d’Uzès AOP offers something increasingly rare… authentic, characterful wines at genuinely modest prices, from a beautiful corner of France still waiting to be properly discovered by the wine trade and consumers alike. 

Duché d’Uzès AOP Producer Tastings:

Domaine Reynaud

Domaine Reynaud Cuvee Arpege 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv.

Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Vermentino. Beautifully fresh and bright, lifted white citrus aromatics, white blossom and cut green apple. Crisp, taut and vibrant in the mouth with notes of yellow stone fruits, peach and honeysuckle hints, finishing with a pithy mineral note.

(Wine Safari Score: 91+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Elodie 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv.

50% Viognier, 30% Grenache Blanc and 20% Vermentino. A portion sees oak ageing, accentuating the exotic peach and apricot notes along side hints of pear puree. Fleshy, textured and plush, this is a true gastronomic expression, with concentration, glycerol fleshy pear and apple fruits and a pithy, spicy finish with a kiss of vanilla pod.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Cuvee Arpege 2017, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv.

Showing a complex tertiary development of waxy stone fruits, peach and delicate kerosene nuances with a stony, mineral undertone. Crisp and pithy on the palate, apricot hints developing with a honied, savoury, bruised yellow orchard fruit length.

(Wine Safari Score: 90+/100 Greg Sherwood MW

Domaine Reynaud Rose Syrah – Grenache 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv.

A 50/50 blend made in a richer, more extracted style showing savoury earthy strawberry aromatics alongside hints of cured meats, red peppercorns and pomegranate notes. Glycerol and spicy, the finish is fleshy and delicately candied offering a more gastronomic wine styling.

(Wine Safari Score: 89/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Les Pleins et Les Delies Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, the aromatics are lifted and ripe with sweet plum, hints of prune and black berries with a sapidity and delicate stony minerality. Fleshy and savoury, the fruits are ripe with notes of macerated black plums, finishing with warmth and a picante frais de bois character.

(Wine Safari Score: 89/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Les Pleins et Les Delies Rouge 2021, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

The aromatics show a savoury earthy melange of stewed red and black berry fruits with roasted hints and caramelised nuances. Palate is fresh and vibrant, packed with wild strawberries and red currants, supported by a delightful stony, pithy minerality.

(Wine Safari Score: 91/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Cuvee Rubis 2020, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

A 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache blend that leads with macerated black berry fruits, stewed plum, cured meats and sappy mineral nuances. Sleek and harmonious in the mouth, the acids fresh and the tannins chalky and powdery coating the mouth with real concentration and intensity. A wonderful gastronomic treat.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Cuvee Rubis 2021, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

A 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache blend shows savoury earthy nuances, cured meats, black plum and macerated black cherries. The tannins are stony and mineral, coating the palate with a pithy wet river stone intensity, finishing with a sweet macerated black berry length.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Cuvee Rubis 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

A 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache blend showing a lifted plummy fruit, a red and black berry melange and fig confit nuances. Cool, elegant and creamy, the texture is supple, fresh and accessible, finishing with chalky tannins and an attractive pithy sapidity.

(Wine Safari Score: 90+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Les Templiers 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

A 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache blend aged in oak barrels, the aromatics show savoury earthy hints of stewed plums and cured meats with a kiss of black liquorice. Fresh and vital, the oaked mid-palate is overt and showy, but also supple, fleshy and accessible in the mouth. More modern with vanilla oak spice notes, making this a modern favourite with visitors to the winery.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Cuvee Pomeyron 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

An 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache blend aged for 12 months the in oak barrels. Sweet fruited aromatics show plum and fig confit, black currant jam, and sappy mulberry notes. Pure, intense and focused, lovely vibrancy, intensity and focus on the plummy finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 91+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Les Jardins d’Audrey 2021, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

An 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache blend aged for 14 months in oak, made in only the best vintages. Deeper darker broodier aromatics showing macerated black cherry, balsamic and polished mahogany. The oak is overt but well integrated, lending a grippy tannin structure, sappy vanilla pod spice, finishing with a long, orange peel-laden persistent intensity. Impressive in every way.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reynaud Les Jardins d’Audrey 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

An 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache blend aged for 14 months the in oak. The nose boast sappy, plummy hints with delicately reductive Syrah nuances. The macerated black berry notes follow to the palate that shows a fleshy ripeness, a certain fullness and a cool, creamy, delicately lactic finish with a picante strawberry confit hint.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Saint Firmin

Domaine Saint Firmin Ananda Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of 55% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc and 20% Roussanne. Perfumed and aromatic showing white blossoms, citrus and exotic peach notes. Taut and crisp, there’s a lovely underlying acid structure with tangy acids and a peachy orange peel finish. Really deliciously refreshing yet retains gravitas.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Saint Firmin Ariana Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne that is aged in oak but with no malo.  Quite peachy and exotic, there’s oak punctuating musky, floral notes over peach and yellow stone fruits. Fleshy and supple, the acids well integrated with a long harmonious finish. Very well balanced.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Saint Firmin Prelude Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A 50/50 Syrah and Grenache Rose, the aromatics are stony and dusty, with delicate hints of pink musk, violets, and strawberry fruits. Crisp, cool and elegantly earthy with a dry, savoury red berry finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 89/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Saint Firmin Les Deux Freres Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

65% Syrah and 35% Grenache fermented and aged in concrete tanks. The purity on the aromatics is lifted and delicately savoury showing macerated plums and black berries following to a supple, fleshy palate with an accessible fruit profile, talc tannins and a tangy finish. Lovely purity and focus.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Saint Firmin 100 Ans Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A Syrah, Grenache and Carignan blend commemorating the cellar opening in 1925, with the Carignan portion planted in 1951. Deep and broody, showing plenty of savoury black berry fruits with an earthy hint, sweet tannins and a stony graphite length. Ripe and mouth coating but retains a fine freshness and minerality on the finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Saint Firmin Revelation Rouge 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan aged in large oak for 12 months. The aromatics are dense, dark and broody, showing a black fruited structured intensity, tilled earth, graphite and dried herb nuances. The palate is plush, soft and supple, a certain ripeness and weight of fruit evident but packaged into a fleshy, harmonious red berry assemblage. An ambitious wine that impresses.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Saint Firmin L’Absolu Rouge 2022, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv. 

Made from 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache old vine fruit aged for 24 months in 400 litre new oak barrels. There is an exotic fragrance, salty caramel, black currant and picante bramble berry hedgerow nuances alongside sweet Christmas spices. The oak presence is visible but well assembled with the rich black berry and black cherry fruits, the mid-palate lifted by bright acids, a linear focus and a notable purity. A really impressive wine that sits comfortably with its extra ripeness, focus and outright modernity.

(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Duche

Domaine Les Lys Duche Rouge 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, the aromatics are pure and precise, perfumed and picante with savoury back berries, earthy plum and wild strawberry nuances. Super polished and precise, the texture tight knit, harmonious and pure with an attractive red and black berry melange on the finish. Very impressive attention to detail.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Deleuze-Rochetin

Domaine Deleuze-Rochetin Harmattan Blanc 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne that shows rich white blossom fragrance, honeysuckle and exotic musky grapey peach stone and melon fruit notes. Fleshy and accessible with hints of green melon, apple bon bons and an attractively candied finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Deleuze-Rochetin Harmattan Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne displays exotic hints of talc, candied peach boiled sweets, and musky grapey confectionary notes. A sleek and harmonious palate, medium bodied and delightfully fresh and polished with lovely purity, typicity and precision, finishing with a dry picante talcum phenolic grip.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Deleuze-Rochetin Babel Rouge 2022, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv. 

A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre showing deep, broody notes of tilled earth, stewed black plums and notes of potpourri and dried herbs. The palate is starkly supple, pure and impressively fine grained, showing gentle extraction, a cool tangy purity and real precision and finesse. Very elegant.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Deleuze-Rochetin Babel Rouge 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

This shows an extra intensity and focus, with piercing black currant, black plum and picante black cherry notes. The precision and aromatic purity follows to a sleek, supple palate with a silky tannin profile, a supple mouthfeel and a weightlessly concentrated, accessible finish. Delicately wild and brambly but made with incredible precision.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Vignobles Chabrier

Started in 1988 with now 130 hectares under vine bottling circa 130,000 bottles per year.

Vignobles Chabrier Campradel 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv.

50% Viognier, 30% Grenache Blanc and 20% Marsanne without any oak use. Aromatics packed with white flowers, honeysuckle and peach stone fruits with steely, pithy aromatics and delicate phenolics on a fresh, fleshy approachable palate. Enjoy this white in its saline mineral youth.

(Wine Safari Score: 91/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Vignobles Chabrier La Garrigue d’Aureillac 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv.

A blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussane with the Viognier aged in oak. Plush, fragrant and peachy, with delicate stone fruits, crystalline white citrus and lovely creamy layers of leesy biscuits and subtle vanilla pod spice. Well constructed, harmonious and quite a substantial wine.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Vignobles Chabrier Campradel Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 12% Abv.

A 50/50 Syrah and Grenache blend, full of pear drop spice, a delicate violet perfume and a Calcaire spice. The palate is mineral and pithy boasting a red fruit medley of summer berries, finishing with a generous concentration and a chalky mineral grip.

(Wine Safari Score: 91/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Vignobles Chabrier Campradel Rouge 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 12.5% Abv.

Bright and energetic, super vibrant and pure with a clear terroir purity, Calcaire stony notes with cool acids, vibrant pithy red and black berry fruits and a creamy vanilla pod spice on the brambly finish. A wonderfully generous and accessible light red.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Vignobles Chabrier La Garrigue d’Aureillac Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv.

80% Syrah and 20% Grenache aged for 12 months in oak foudre. Dark, rich and broody, this shows layers of black cherry, liquorice and exotic brambly Christmas spices. Soft, plush and impressively harmonious, the palate is ripe but well integrated, tight knit, full of creamy black berry fruits, peppery spice and chalky tannins on the finish. Serious effort.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Duché d’Uzès AOP Mixed Producers:

Orenia Rose 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

60% Grenache / 40% Syrah from the west of the appellation, shows beautifully harmonious, well integrated aromas of rose petals, red cherry and subtle strawberry fruits with a drying mineral texture, lovely crystalline fruits and a very pure, pinpoint focus on the finish. A super elegant, classy Rose.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Chenin de Rome Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 12% Abv. 

55% Grenache and 45% Syrah shows enticing white blossom and seductive aromatics of orange peel and tangerine. Delicately reductive and flinty on the palate, the structure taut, crystalline and pure, finishing with a crisp minerality and a kiss of orange peel.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Les Chant des Baumes Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 12% Abv. 

A blend of Grenache, Syrah and around 15% Mourvedre. The aromatics show a touch more breadth and depth with a wet stone minerality alongside orange peel, strawberry and delicate dried herb notes. Full in the mouth, fleshy, stony and deliciously classical.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Combajon 4.4 Ha Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A Grenache, Viognier and Vermentino blend aged in oak barrels. The aromatics marry soft leesy pithy herbal spice notes with hints of buttered white toast, white citrus and Calcaire minerality. Elegantly plush and fleshy in the mouth, the acids bright and tangy with a crisp, crystalline honeysuckle finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Orenia Blanc 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

50% Viognier with 30% Grenache Blanc and circa 20% Marsanne and Roussanne. Shows an exotic aromatics of honeysuckle and white blossom, peach stone and green melon. Fleshy, compact and deliciously harmonious, there’s a lovely balance and seamless harmony, finishing with a long persistence.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Orenia 2022 Blanc Reserve, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

50% Viognier with 30% Grenache Blanc and circa 20% Marsanne and Roussanne aged for circa 12 months in oak barrels. The aromatics are leesy and peachy with a hint of honeysuckle and buttered white toast. The oak is well integrated, very subtle, melting into peachy, green apple and savoury green melon fruits. Lovely balance and harmony.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Chenin de Rome Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne blend fermented and aged in tank.Stony, perfumed and peppery, with real peach stone and wet river stone minerality on the finish. Lovely freshness with breadth, depth and a kiss of honeydew melon on the finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Les Chant des Baumes Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A more savoury, earthy expression showing underlying peach and pear fruits with an underlying minerality and flinty, smoky depth. Super complex, lovely breadth and textural mouthfeel, finishing with waxy apple, vanilla pod and a melange of quince and dried herbs. Really quite superb.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Les Chant des Baumes Blanc 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A 50% Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne blend showing an intricate complexity from extra bottle ageing, revealing waxy, peachy fruits, quince and yellow apple hints. The palate is taut and fresh, textural and mineral with wet stones, Calcaire and pear fruits on the compact finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Les Chant des Baumes Blanc 2022, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv.

A 50% Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne blend shows tension and complexity with wet straw, dried herbs and pithy stone fruits, finishing with linearity, minerality and waxy pear notes with a honeysuckle kiss.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Confidentiel Blanc 2021, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

An attractive honey and peach aromatic complexity with classic Viognier lift and exoticism, dried herbs and a chalky Calcaire minerality. Broad and fleshy on the palate with an extra tangy dimension of pear and orange peel, honeycomb and peach pith. A true classic.

(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Combajon 4.4 Ha Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv. 

A blend of Syrah and Grenache, shows incredible purity and brightness, with lifted violets, red cherry, frais des bois and subtle lactic creamy nuances. Deliciously fleshy and bright, the acids are tangy and energetic with soft fleshy tannins and a strawberry confit character dominated by a medley of red berry fruits on the finish. Really quite classy.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Orenia Rouge 2022, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

60% Syrah and 50% Grenache blend featuring no oak. There’s a strong chocolatey kirsch liquor note with bramble berry fruits. The palate is delicately savoury and ripe with raisined cherries, wood spice and sweet peppercorn spice. Persistent, concentrated and long on the finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Orenia Rouge 2020, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv. 

This Covid vintage is showing a broody black and blueberry fruited depth with layers of liquorice, delicate flinty reduction and waxy black currant nuances. Spicy, saline and picante on the finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Les Chemin de Rome Rouge 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, this shows an enticing perfumed lift layered with violets, cherry kirsch liquor and subtle black currant salinity. Silky, sleek and bright, the texture is tight knit and super fine, full of black peppercorns and subtle Szechuan pepper spices. Impressive polish and focus with a warming finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Vignes de l’Arque Les Chant des Baumes Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

An 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache blend aged for 18 months in French oak. The aromatics are dusty and peppery with a delicate sapidity over bramble berry and blueberry fruits. The fruits are creamy and supple, the texture fine grained and saline with a pronounced minerality and stony complexity.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Mas des Volques

10 hectares of vineyards on the estate.

Mas des Volques Alba Dolia 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv.

A blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Clairette Blanche with the Viognier and Roussanne portions aged in oak. Shows aromatics of rich toasty oak layered with ripe peach stone fruits and leesy biscuit notes. The palate is pithy and stony, showing fatness, texture and concentrated yellow orchard fruits with a peach confit on white toast intensity on the finish. A spicy, characterful and warming expression with plenty of gravitas.

(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Mas des Volques Esus Rouge 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 10% Carignan and 10% Cinsault blend fermented and aged in tank with no oak usage. Delicately plummy aromatics with sweet cherry blossom and hints of mulberry. There is a sweet and sour peachy plummy intensity on the palate, the fruits displaying an overt accessibility and generosity, the tannins soft and the acids crisp and tangy.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Mas des Volques Volcae Rouge 2021, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 15% Abv. 

Average age of the vines is almost 60 years old always sourced from the same plots. A blend of 40% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 25% Carignan with the Syrah and Carignan aged in oak for 4 months and the Grenache aged only in tank, before being blended and aged in tank for another 6 to 12 months before bottling. Dense ripe and broody full of black berry fruits, delicate toasty earthy notes, macerated plums and smoky mulberry nuances. Impressive depth and purity, the texture bold but impressively polished and precise, finishing with brûléed black berries, creamy sweet tannins, cured meats and sweet black peppercorns. Impressive.

(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

La Cave Durfort

La Cave Durfort Le Duche Blanc 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne, the aromatics are sweet fruited and intense, juicy, ripe and bursting with pithy peach stone fruits, lemon blossom, quince and exotic honeycomb depth. The palate is cool, crisp and fruity, showing succulent yellow orchard fruits, confectionary and peaches drizzled with honey, all underpinned by a steadying stony Calcaire minerality. 

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

La Cave Durfort Juste Duche Blanc 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

An organic certified blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne showing expressive perfumed aromatics strongly influenced by the florality of the Viognier along with peach stone fruits before sweet dried herbs and more mineral Calaire nuances. Fleshy and full in the mouth, glycerol yet retaining a soft supple freshness, layers of honied peaches and white citrus before a pithy, dry mineral finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine le Sollier Les Acacias Blanc 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A blend of 50% Viognier, 40% Grenache Blanc and 10% Roussanne fermented and vinified in used oak barrels. The aromatics lead with top notes of buttered white toast and a delicately nuttiness with hints of salted pistachio and peach stone fruits. Impressively assembled, this is a stylish blend with texture and complexity, harmony and balance, full of welllintegrated brûléed toasty oak balancing the creamy, pithy peach and nectarine fruits, all underpinned by a classic Cevennes acid freshness.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine le Sollier Les Linthes Rouge 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache (40 year old vines) aged for 12 months in used 400 litre oak barrels. The aromatics are ripe and intense yet beautifully pure and perfumed showing sweet violets, cherry kirsch liquor and macerated strawberries. The palate is taut and focused, fresh and structured by the acids with polished mineral tannins, a mouth-watering salinity and a delicate, elegantly weightless concentration of red and black berry fruits on a drying mineral finish. Really very classy.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

La Cave Durfort Le Duche Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 12.5% Abv. 

A blend of circa 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah with a pale salmon pink, the aromatics pure and fruity, with a clarity of cranberry and strawberry fruits. There is a charming glycerol texture with a seamless harmonious balance, fruits, acids and minerality all in perfect equilibrium, making this an incredibly enjoyable, classy and versatile wine to enjoy now.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

La Cave Durfort Le Duche Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv. 

A blend of Syrah and Grenache aged for 12 months in oak barrels, the aromatics show an incredibly ripe, opulent showcase bursting with macerated black berries, stewed black plums and hints of mulberries and molasses. The palate is slightly more refined than the opulent bouquet would have you anticipate, the soft, dry mineral tannins adding a degree of classical restraint while the well integrated acids keep the finish tight knit and focused. A serious wine that is also generous and sumptuous.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

La Cave Durfort Juste Duche Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv. 

A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, the aromatics show an intense caramelised sweet black fruit intensity with hints of macerated black berries, kirsch cherry liquor and molasses sweet spices. The palate shows a spicier, more classical profile, the sweet black fruits tempered by a stony minerality and an attractive overt sweet herby sapidity.

(Wine Safari Score: 91/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

La Cave Durfort Perseverance Rouge 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14.5% Abv. 

A classic blend of Syrah and Grenache that is aged for 12 months in French oak. The oaking brings a certain restraint to the red and black berry fruits, allowing herbs, wood spice and Calcaire mineral notes to shine. The palate shows a delicate sapidity with a cool, creamy harmonious texture, the tannins sweet, fine grained and supple with spicy hints of black cherry, macerated black berries and mulberry fruits on the finish. A bold wine no doubt, but also showing class and pedigree.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

La Tour de Gatigne

Domaine La Tour de Gatigne Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of mostly Viognier, Grenache and Rousssnne made from organic grapes and aged without oak. Classic pithy peachy intense aromatics with green melon and a cream soda fragrance. Fruity, zippy and zesty with mouth-watering fruits.

(Wine Safari Score: 90/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine La Tour de Gatigne Montaure Rouge 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

This 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah shows a classically earthy savoury black fruited aromatics with violets, cured meats, tapenade and black berries. The palate is classical and fresh, medium bodied with good fruit intensity, soft integrated acids and an accessible texture with soft ripe tannins. Bright, mouth-watering and quite delicious.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine La Tour de Gatigne Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A blend 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache shows a classically savoury meaty black berry Syrah character with roasted notes, cured meats and chargrilled spice. Sleek and supple in the mouth, earthy and brambly, the brûléed notes continuing with a fresh bright acidity, polished tannins and a savoury, peppercorn-laden finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine La Tour de Gatigne 24 Rouge 2023, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A blend 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache severed from specific plots. The aromatics show a richer, more intense oak influence with plenty of black and blueberry notes, black cherry and savoury tapenade nuances. The texture is creamy and the oak notes full of cedar and sappy herbal clove spice. Supple tannins. Polished structure with plenty of black peppercorn spice on the finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine La Tour de Gatigne Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of Grenache and Syrah, the nose is full of perfumed pink musk, pear drop, talc and strawberry bon bons. Showing a sleek and polished texture, the palate is fleshy and tangy with a gentle savoury earthy note lingering on the sweet and sour finish. A characterful expression.

(Wine Safari Score: 90+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reboul Des Saint-Pierre

Domaine Reboul Des Saint-Pierre Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of Viognier and Grenache Blanc shows a fruity bright tropical aromatics with green melon, white peach, candied bon bons and reductive cool fermentation notes. Easy drinking, pithy and fresh, the finish being slightly phenolic and but also tangy.

(Wine Safari Score: 88/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reboul Des Saint-Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of 80% Grenache Noir and 20% Syrah produces an incredibly pale, fresh style with fresh notes of pear drop and strawberry fruits. There is texture and mouthfeel along side a delicately savoury, clean mineral finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 87/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reboul Des Saint-Pierre Rouge 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13% Abv. 

A blend of Syrah and Grenache Noir shows a ripe bramble berry fruit aromatics with hints of stewed wild strawberry. Soft and supple, the tannins light and easy drinking, the black berry fruits gently grippy and mineral before a drying stony finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 87+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine Reboul Des Saint-Pierre Fut de Chene Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A blend of Syrah and Grenache Noir aged for 12 months in French oak barrels adds extra depth and spice to the black berry and bramble berry fruits that are dusted with a hint of pink flowers and musk perfume. Sleek and supple in the mouth, the acids are fresh but well integrated and the tannins fine grained and supple with a cedar spice and black peppercorn nuances. Classically restrained, spicy and stony, the finish dry and mineral with an all-round accessibility.

(Wine Safari Score: 88+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Collines du Bourdic 

Les Collines du Bourdic Racine 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

Fresh vibrant style, unoaked with a touch of peach, yellow grapefruit and a notable drying Calcaire mineral finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 92/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Collines du Bourdic La Rabassiere Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

Rich and toasty, deliciously textural, leesy and peachy with a delightful vanilla pod spice and a powerful intense finish.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Collines du Bourdic Racine Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 12.5% Abv. 

A pale salmon pink, fresh, light and crystalline with pink musk, strawberry and stony minerals. Subtle herbs on the palate, quite intense and concentrated with a dry fruit extract and a really harmonious finish with plenty of tangy acids.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Collines du Bourdic La Rabassiere Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 12.5% Abv. 

A perfumed aromatics with pink flowers, musk and talc with red cherry and strawberry fruits over chalky Calcaire mineral nuances. The palate is equally sophisticated and elegant, classy, harmonious and deliciously complex and pure. Very Impressive.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Collines du Bourdic Racine Racine 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv. 

Rich and exotic with notes of orange peel, tangerine and black plum with delicate liquorice notes.  The mouthfeel is soft and fluid, easy and accessible with sweet tannins, generous bramble berry fruits and a long succulent finish. Delicious!

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Les Collines du Bourdic La Rabassiere Rouge 2024, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 14% Abv. 

Quite a dark fruited broody aromatics with sweet molasses, black currant and savoury mulberry intermingled with a dusty stony Calcaire minerality. The palate is very classy and sophisticated with sweet fine grained tannins and an effortless black berry fruit concentration, the oaking always a punctuation mark. A classy Rhone Valley expression.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine L’Orviel 

Domaine L’Orviel Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

Pithy and complex with wet stone minerality, peach stone and yellow grapefruit pith. Steely, fresh but also quite saline and textural. Lovely.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine L’Orviel Fut Blanc 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

Shows delicate white fruits, buttered white toast and nutty biscuit hints of peachy minerality before a glycerol textured weighting, full in the mouth with delicate honeycomb notes on a long finish. Very classy.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Domaine L’Orviel Rose 2025, Duche d’Uzes AOP, 13.5% Abv. 

A 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache using no oak. Complex and delicately savoury showing a stewed strawberry and raspberry fruited intensity. The palate is pure and precise, glycerol and textured with a long finish of red berries, dried herbs and a pithy wet stone minerality. A serious gastronomic expression.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

My recent trip was hosted by the Duché d’Uzès Appellation d’Origin Protégé.