Fred was born in the small village of Limoux, situated amongst the Languedoc vineyards. His father and both his grandfathers were vine growers, and he grew up immersed in the vineyards, assisting his father from a young age. The cultivation of vines has always captivated him, as he believes that the finest wines are crafted in the vineyard.
Silver Medal, 83 points- London Wine Competition, 2024. The Guardian, May 2023, David Williams: "In the right hands, cabernet sauvignon is far too interesting and adaptable a grape to ignore, however, with a wine such as the superb-value Big Beltie bringing a little French Mediterranean solar charge to the classic cassis characters." London Wine Competition, 2023 - Silver Medal. Jancisrobinson.com, 2023, 16: "Classic blackcurrant fruit. Ripe, bodacious and extrovert. Lovely network of thyme, tarragon and sweetbox bring herbal fragrance. Plush, velvety tannins. Easy, ready and full of charm." Joanna Simon’s Wine of the Week, 27/10/2022: "...in case you're jumping to conclusions, this isn't a big belter of a wine. It's medium-full and pulsing with Cabernet Sauvignon energy and rich, sunny fruit. Think plum and cassis lightly brushed with aromatic, woody herbs, supple tannins discreetly wrapped in oak, and a flourish of bay-leaf spicy freshness. " Tom Surgey, Three Wine Men, November 2022: "Love the brightness and the juicy blackcurrant attack; the layers of spice and a bit of leaf sit in good harmony and while secondary to the fruit itself, they give it complexity and extra dimensions that elevate it....Top work! Genuinely great value wine." Tom Stevenson, Wine Writer, 2022: "Well, what a belter of a Beltie that was! Belter as in lovely, rather than big, that is. And so beautifully proportioned; phenolically ripe, yet only 13.5%! A styish, gulpingly good red with soft, ripe black fruits, a soft and supple texture, and the smoky-creamy-coffee allure of oak."