(2024) In its very fancy bottle and with a super pale colour this is a Provence ringer, but actually from the Languedoc. It's one of the most vibrant, intense wines of its style in this year's round-up, peach, pink fig and strawberry among the brightly fruity aromas. The palate follows through, the keen stripe of rhubarb-like acidity flashing through the ripe red fruits. Crisp, fruit-filled, distinctive and impressive.
(2024) Another wine closed with the 'Vinolok' glass stopper on a rather romantic rose-embossed bottle, this blends Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan. It's a another finely detailed wine from Sainte Roseline, pale, peachy and fragrant, summer berries and herbs, a fresh and lightly grassy and floral aspect to this. On the palate the acidity and that grassiness give this gastronomic potential, those adding a bit of seriousness to the pretty peach and lime flavours.
(2023) Mostly Albariño planted in 2000, but blended with Godello, Loureiro and Caíño Blanco, this is a new single-estate wine set for release in 2024. It comes from vineyards in Salnes and spent one year on the lees, then a further two maturing in small steel and concrete vats, still on the lees with regular stirring. The aromatics hint at exotic tropical fruits, but such a distinct saline mineral character too. There's a hint of breadiness from that lees work. Hints of pineapple and lychee compound that tropical character, with a sweep of lemon and grapefruit that gives a bone dry finish, tangy and pithy, but some orange peel character too. Not available in the UK at time of review.
(2023) An Albariño from a single vineyard and, unusualy, cellared for several years prior to release, including six months on the lees. It's a wine with a more sultry aspect than many from this appellation, that extended ageing adding a creaminess to the yellow apple fruit, a fine sense of wet river pebbles and delicate floral notes adding definite class. In the mouth quite broad, concentrated and relatively powerful. There's a core of juicy oranges and lemons citrus, but some nuttiness and broader, fuller appeal through the mid-palate too. A beautiful wine. £28.80 on Multi-buy.
(2023) An organic Grenache wine, handsomely packaged with vinolock glass stopper, from a property in the Minervois region of the Languedoc. Pale salmon pink, the nose has strawberry bob-bons, dusted with icing sugar, and a pert feeling of freshness. In the mouth rounded with creamy fruits, and a hint of sweetness that I might guess as a mere touch of residual sugar. Acidity is good, giving this balance and meaning the finish is dry and citrus fresh. Stylish.
(2023) Closed with the 'Vinolock' glass stopper, this is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah and opens with lots of floral and rose-hip lift, a very summery and delicate bloom of berry fruits and lifted notes. Lovely fruit on the palate, quite intense in this house's style, but I like the softer approach here, the acid nicely pitched and the whole picture about delicacy and enjoyment. Classy, approachable stuff.
(2023) With an average age of 50 years plus, this is far older than the Rare Muscat classification average requirement of 30 years. All Saints’ unique Museum Muscat and Muscadelle have an average age of over 100 years, testament to their extraordinarily old stock. Dark chocolate, sticky date, salted caramel and burnt fig notes all honed and lifted by high quality neutral spirit. Massive concentration and a seemingly never-ending finish. Superlative. Price for a half bottle. (GD)
(2022) A Provence-esque rosé from the nearby Languedoc, this is made from 60% Grenache and 40% Cinsault. Perhaps the most striking aspect, however, is its elegant, frosted glass bottle. Its delicate and yet flavourful, raspberry and cherry lips fruit aromas lead on to a palate that balances a bit of red berry depth with peachy lusciousness, and then a lemon rind suggestion of firm waxiness to the acidity. Available by the six-bottle case at £12.67 per bottle equivalent, it's a keen price too. Watch the video for more information.
(2022) A Sicilian wine bottled in what Laithwaites is describing as 'wild glass' - 100% post-consumer recycled glass. A bright cherry colour, lifted and beaujolais-like cherry and raspberry aromas with a touch of floral character. Very juicy and pretty, a similar marriage of bright, lipsticky red fruits but the tannins and good acidity do kick in to give this a little bitter, Negroni-like note in the finish.
(2021) From a domaine that can trace its roots back to 1701, this family-run Languedoc estate near Montpellier blends this wine from Grenache, Rolle and Syrah grown on volcanic soils. Sealed with the 'Vinolok' glass stopper it is a beautifully packaged wine, pale peach in colour with lovely salt and mineral flecks to the red berry and citrus fruit. Bone dry, there's real grip here, pithy citrus and the tang of citrus skins, underpinned by redcurrant and finishing with good definition. Quite a grown-up, serious style at a relatively modest price. Watch the video for more information on this wine.
