In 1989, a family friend told Marc Penaveyre that he was due to retire, and the French government was offering to pay him $50,000 to pull out his Fronton vines unless Marc left his work as a government viticulture researcher behind and returned to the village of Vacquiers just a few miles north of Toulouse. Freshly married to his wife Anne - an engineer - Marc returned and saved the vineyard. In the 30 years since, Plaisance-Penaveyre has led a renaissance for this modest variety Marc has converted to biodynamic farming and vinifies in a restrained manner without any new oak, nor too much extraction. Le Rouge is a blend of Negrette with Syrah and Cabernet Franc, and a beautiful example of how much potential is in this once forgotten corner of France. This is a rib-sticking black wine, with aromas of blackcurrant jam, dark roasted coffee, licorice, underbrush, earth and incense. Full bodied and full of iron ore clay notes, jet-black cherries, currants and prunes. The structure offers both long, stern tannins and refreshing acidity that keeps this wine surprisingly fresh. Drink this charmer with full bodied winter meals featuring caramelized vegetables and red meats.