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 redion. 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 wine shows aromas of blackberry, black plum, black raspberry, black pepper, black dirt, and black violets. The palate is neatly balanced and corded with tannins that reveal themselves on the finish, with flavors of black cherry, orange oil, and chalky earth and cacao. Drink this charmer with full bodied winter meals featuring caramelized vegetables and red meats.