Domaine du Dragon is one of our most exciting discoveries from Provence in at least a decade.

Its terroir secret is pure chalk soils, which are very unusual for Provence. This chalk helps give sultry southern reds the edge and structure they need to stay fresh—and fresh they certainly are. But when we think of Provence it’s not the dirt that comes first to mind but the sun—yet even here Dragon has more tricks up its southern sleeve.

Here up in the hills in the village of Draguignan, the winds wind their way through the terraced vineyards in the evening, keeping grapes cool. Yet during the day, vines unwind like every sun- and wine-soaked tourist and bless the hour they wound up on the Côte d’Azur. The wine that results from such climactic bliss delivers the precision and grace of classic Bordeaux, with the indulgent, juicy body and persistence of a top-flight southern Rhône.

Delicious? Obviously. Everything you could want in a southern red? For sure. And affordable to boot? Without question. To add hysteria to an already jubilant scene, 2007 is widely held as the best southern vintage France has seen in more than three decades. Grab this gem while you can.

Monday, January 25, 2010