The J. Mourat Collection Rouge is my pick for the red wine of Summer 2026! It checks all the boxes I look for in a warm-weather red: fresh, easy-drinking, great with a slight chill, and equally enjoyable with or without food.
A blend of tank-fermented Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pinot Noir, and a couple of other local varieties, this is bright, vibrant, and loaded with fresh red berries, peppery spice, violet, and wild herbs. Not too heavy but certainly not light, it offers silky tannins and lively acidity that keep everything lifted, energetic, and incredibly drinkable.
At just $12.99/bottle and over 20% off the regular price, it's a terrific value in estate-bottled, certified organic, naturally made red wine.
Like the white we featured from this estate a couple of weeks ago, this wine comes from the lesser-known Fiefs Vendéens AOC, the westernmost wine region in the Loire Valley. Located about an hour south of Nantes, Vignobles Mourat is one of the benchmark producers of this coastal appellation, where cooling maritime breezes and a mix of schist and volcanic soils help produce wines of freshness, balance, and character.
These are the kinds of wines you find at great French bistros. They're prized because they're delicious with food, enjoyable on their own, and easy to drink without ever being simple. That's my way of saying this isn't just a casual bottle of red. Sure, you can pop the cork and enjoy a glass on the back porch, but spend a little time with it and you'll quickly discover a wine with real depth and substance.
If you're a fan of Beaujolais, Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, or Pinot Noir, I think you'll love this one. Give it 20 minutes in the refrigerator before serving and enjoy it alongside burgers, grilled sausages, roast chicken, or just good conversation with good friends.
Once you open it, don't expect it to last very long.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
