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Chateau Unang and the bad death

The sun was shining when I visited James King at Chateau Unang in the Ventoux wine region between the Rhone valley and Provence. The surrounding area was a papal state for many centuries and only became part of France after the revolution in the 18th century. The nearby village is called Malemort (bad death) and the remains of the 100km wall built to stop the plague spreading into the valley from Marseilles are above the vineyards. James bought this beautiful 900 year old chateau and estate, once the ruling bishop's summer residence, ten years ago. He then retrained as a winemaker and has worked hard ever since in the vineyards and winery, realising a life long dream to make his own wine. Fans of the best selling La Source red wine will know that he does an excellent job. We started lunch under a plane tree in the courtyard with the Cuvee Adeline white (a barrel aged Rousanne) and followed on with the excellent 2008 rose and 2007 unoaked red. As the meal progressed James explained that his red wines really come into their own three or more years after the vintage but they have proved so popular that he sells out each year and finds it hard to keep back much stock from older vintages for his many local and visiting customers who buy direct from the caveau.The highlight of the day was the final red poured with cheese. James has made a single barrel (about 400 bottles) of Syrah in the northern Rhone style, but replacing the usual small amount of Viognier with Roussanne to give it a southern Rhone twist. Quite delicious and I have persuaded him to sell me a few cases for you when it is ready. Watch this space!Jonny Gibson, Wine DiscoveriesChateau Unang Ventoux 'La Source' £7.95 Save £18 a case!Read more stories of Jonny tracking down great wines from small producers at www.winediscoveries.co.uk

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2003