D – Terrasses du Larzac AOC, Le Juge, Château Capion Rouge, 2020

Château Capion, nestled near Aniane in the Terrasses du Larzac, has quietly become a key player in this rising Languedoc appellation. While the estate dates back several centuries, it was in the 1990s and especially after 2016—under new ownership—that it took a decisive turn toward precision winemaking and organic viticulture.
“Le Juge” cuvée is one of its standout labels, named in reference to a former owner who served as a magistrate. The Terrasses du Larzac AOC itself is known for its cooler nights and varied soils, offering ideal conditions for producing reds with both power and freshness—a balance that defines the best wines from the region.

Le Juge 2020 is a confident blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with a smaller touch of Grenache. The wine pours a deep garnet, with a nose full of wild herbs, ripe plum, and smoked black tea. In the mouth, it’s focused and structured, with silky tannins and layered notes of blackcurrant, dried thyme, and a flicker of graphite. There’s a gentle warmth, but the lift from the terroir keeps everything in check. It feels grounded yet refined, with a clean, long finish that leans more on minerality than oak.

Try it alongside a slice of Bethmale Vache. The creamy, semi-firm texture and mild, buttery taste of this cow’s milk cheese will soften the wine’s structure and underline its fruit and herbal notes without overpowering them.