Domaine de Fontsainte is one of the most prominent Corbieres wineries, a favorite in the Kermit Lynch import portfolio since 1978. This classically herb-crusted blend of 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache, and 10% Syrah is suffused with Mediterranean garrigue, a scrubby landscape full of aromatic herbs so iconic that in France it has the same status as Oregon’s coast, where it is illegal to restrict public access. In order to maintain the earthy nuances, winemaker Bruno Laboucarié ages this wine in a mixture of mostly neutral oak and cement. This is a sturdy red full of rustic charm, with aromas of black raspberries, tamarind, oregano and orange rinds. The palate is weighty and framed with thick cut tannins, with flavors of garrigue, blackberry, black pepper, and blood orange. There are no shortcuts to making great wines like this one, but Fontsainte is something of a shortcut to choosing a satisfying red for hearty meals.