Southern sunshine, mountain freshness.

David Codomie farms 25 hectares around the village of Carnas, in the Gard, where the Languedoc runs into the foothills of the Cévennes. His vines sit in a quiet valley surrounded by garrigue, the wild thyme, rosemary and scrub that give southern French wine its herby, sun-warmed edge. The soils are limestone and fine gravel.

The Mediterranean sun brings ripeness, and the nearby mountains take the edge off the heat. You taste both in the glass: generous fruit with a peppery, spicy finish.

Coursac is independent and certified both organic and biodynamic by Demeter. In the cellar, David keeps things gentle. The reds ferment in egg-shaped concrete tanks, and some wines age in large 600-litre French oak barrels, big enough that the wood supports the wine instead of taking it over.

Great value, with no shortcuts.