For those who follow my writings on Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you know I'm all about the sandy soils. What originally made this region famous were the large rounded alluvial stones, known as galets roulés. These stones absorb heat during the day and radiate it back into the vineyard at night, allowing the vines to continue working later into the evening and helping create the rich, powerful wines that made Châteauneuf one of France's iconic appellations. But Châteauneuf is really a mosaic of soils, with galets representing only one piece of the puzzle. There are limestone-rich sites, vineyards dominated by red clay, and increasingly sought-after parcels of safres, a decomposed sandstone that forms some of the appellation's finest sandy soils. Unlike galets, sand disperses heat quickly, creating a cooler environment that has proven especially well-suited to Grenache, preserving freshness and aromatic complexity while still delivering impressive depth. The Grangeon family's vineyards at Domaine Cristia are centered around the lieu-dit of Cristia, one of the appellation's classic sandy-soil areas. Combined with old-vine Grenache from carefully selected parcels, these soils produce a wine that showcases both concentration and finesse. Despite the cooling influence of the terroir, this is no shy wine. Deeply satisfying and plush, it offers layers of dark brambly fruit, plum compote, fig jam, anise, and toasted spice. Underlying notes of tapenade, grilled rosemary, and garrigue add savory complexity to one of the most polished and seductive reds in the Southern Rhône. As compelling as the wine itself is, the price may be even more attractive—we haven't seen it this sharp for many years.