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Displaying results 0 - 10 of 24

(2024) This is blend of Syrah, Grenache and old vine Carignan (more than 90 years old) grown on the schist soils of the historic Faugères appellation in the South of France. It's a darkly-hued but spicy and floral wine, but there's a liquorice and ash sense of terroir coming through the black fruit of its core. In the mouth that spiciness continues, and there's rustic grip to this that feels authentic and tastes delicious. It doesn't lack for supple fruit, or acid and tannin framework around it. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas.
(2024) From the Haut Vallée de l'Aude, an IGP appellation around Limoux in the Languedoc. This is made by Burgundy-born Oliver Lemstra and is aged in both tank and new French oak barrels for eight months. The oak comes from the forest of Bertrange on the right bank of the River Loire, due west of Dijon. It's a powerful wine with its 14.5% alcohol, but there's a translucent rim to the garnet colour, and aromas do encompass spice and floral notes as well as red fruits. In the mouth that sweetness of ripe fruit comes through, cherry and bramble to the fore, a hint of the tobacco spiciness again and quite a dry tannic background. Acid is well balanced in a wine that retains some elegance despite the rather high alcohol.
(2024) A wine from this historic Languedoc appellation that is mostly 20-year-old-plus Syrah (60%), blended with Grenache and Carignan. There's a lovely fruit compote sweet impression on the nose, someAgen prune and plump sultana characters, and fresher red berries in the mix. On the palate it is vinous and medium-bodied, dark vine fruits have a bittersweet plum skin edge. Tannins are quite grippy, acidity balances, for a gastronomic wine with a bit of oomph.
(2023) From the 'Cru' of La Clape in the Languedoc, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. Breezy, crunchy, bold red fruits in the nose are appealing. Raspberry and garrigue lift. In the mouth there is bags of fruit, again it's the juicy, buoyant red fruit that drives this, though a sandy weight of tannin and plucky acidity does add a serious note. Quite spicy in the finish, this is a double thumbs up at the mixed dozen price of £12.99
(2023) From Gerard Bertrand, this is a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah. Compared to the Montjustin this mixes red and black fruit characters, a spicy lift to this giving a slightly more cool-climate character. The palate is deliciously ripe and buoyant, really very juicy and quite elegant too, good length and balance.
(2022) In the Languedoc, the Coteaux Cabrerisse is one of many small and less familiar IGP regions. This blends the cross-breed variety Marselan, a speciality of the Languedoc, with Merlot and Syrah. A fairly generic southern French blend nose, which means a bit of plum, a bit black berries and a touch of rustic earthiness and spice. Mouth-filling and substantial on the palate, there's a plush sweetness and some weight, though tannins are a little chewy. Quite a big mouthful, in need of some red meat protein perhaps.
(2022) From the tiny Languedoc IGP of Côtes de Céressou. The nose is rich with ripe cherry and red plum fruitiness. There's an undertow of chocolate or cocoa powder. In the mouth a similar profile of quite sumptuous, easy-going wine, focused on fruit with a soft structure, tannins mellow, acid a little more spikey, just a little spice in the finish.
(2022) Mostly Syrah with Grenache and Carignan from he IGP Val de Montferrand, and relatively high altitude vineyards. There's a fresh, tobacco smoke and slatey/herbal character on the nose. That gives a very crisp character, matching with a sleek black fruit on the palate. Dry with a little chewy bite to the palate through tight tannins and acids. Nicely done.
(2022) From the IGP Pays de Cucugnan in the Corbières area, and a property run by Alexander Sichel, this is Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from vineyards at 350 metres in the Vallée de Cucugnan. It's a dark, brooding, but ultimately very plush and fruity red, creamy tannins and moderate acidity giving backbone. Peppery spice flits around aroma and flavour in a robust but very approachable red.
(2022) From their vineyards in Pézenas, Olivier Coste produces a range of wines with very contemporary names and labels, but really quite classic composition. This is 100% Carignan, grown on limestone and clay with temperature controlled fermentation and ageing only in concrete vats. I thought this wine suited being lightly chilled, which enhanced its fruitiness, accentuating the raspberry and blackberry quality on the nose, which also shows some spices and smokiness, and gives a refreshing clarity on the palate. The tannins are fairly robust which, along with acidity and plenty of oomph from the 14% alcohol and concentrated character, makes for a big mouthful of wine that certainly needs food to show at its best.
Displaying results 0 - 10 of 24