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Tag Archives: languedoc

Zazou Corbieres 2012, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

15 Friday Jan 2021

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$13, 4 stars, 87 points, carignan, france, grenache, languedoc, mourvedre, syrah


As I was ready to check out at my local wine shop I saw this lone bottle with an interesting label. It was on clearance for $13, but the reason I bought it was the name. Moxie and I at one point in our life owned a store with a very similar name. I thought it appropriate to at least give this blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre a try.

It has a somewhat murky edge to it in the glass and shows a touch of bricking. On the nose it is still lively with raspberry, pomegranate and charred cedar notes. The palate is rich and spicy. There is a shot of red fruit alongside some very crispy tannins and a hint of acidity. The mid palate is dry and offers me another taste of red currants, pomegranate and raspberry. The acidity really kicks in on the finish with quick some vigor. The well resolved tannins are surprisingly still evident and I get lots of fruit from this rather basic wine. I would have thought it over the hill by now but it is charming, interesting and still fresh. I am going with 87 points but would drink sooner rather than later. Not much will evolve from here on in. 4 stars are warranted. Pair it with burgers, spaghetti Bolognese or even some grilled meat. Salut….

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Gerard Bertrand ‘Cote des Roses’ Rose 2019, Languedoc, France

19 Monday Oct 2020

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$12, 4 stars, 88 points, Cinsault, france, grenache, languedoc, rose, syrah


Gorgeous pale orange color.  Nose of strawberries, lemon peel and some clementine.  On the palate it is bright with those same flavors, a touch of acidity and a long finish.  It’s got a great mouthfeel and just the right amount cut to keep it refreshing, light and flavorful.  A delicious way to start the evening.  Drink this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault now with appetizers.  88 points and 4 stars, $12. Salut….

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Domaine de Baron’Arques Limoux 2016, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

24 Friday Jan 2020

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$50, 4 stars, 91 points, france, languedoc, Limoux


Really dark purple, brooding.  On the nose I get violets, plum extract and black currants.  On the palate it is juicy, mouth filling and packed with tight grained tannins.  Black currant notes, black tea and some oaky vanilla  start the wine off.  The mid palate gets a dose of the tannins and some sour black cherries.  That black tea component reappears with mouth puckering astringency, which is balanced nicely with the fruit and acidity.  The finish is very dry with black fruit extraction and charcoal notes.  91 points and 4 stars for this $50 wine.  Drink till 2030.  Salut….

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Terroir la Baume Saint-Paul Fitou, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2014

01 Sunday Jan 2017

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$16, 2 stars, 85 points, carignan, fitou, grenache, languedoc


By far the most interesting label of the year-  a metallic one on this bottle of Fitou.  I was intrigued and had to try it.  Fitou is a region in the Languedoc, southern France and the two main grapes are Grenache and Carignan.

terror la baume saint paul fitou

The wine is a medium shade of purple and offers a nose of garrigue, funk and black cherry.  This may sound horrible to the layman but in wine terms, quite legitimate descriptors and ones that are sought after by certain palates.  On the initial attack I am getting a somewhat thin veil of plums but more importantly, some off-putting tannins.  The wine is a bit disjointed and the balance is off.  It may need some time or a trip through the vinturi (Or in my case, a travel aerator).

The travel aerator

The travel aerator

Ok, after meeting my friend Bendy, the wine mellows a little but the tannins are still green and generally unpleasant.  The fruit is struggling for acceptance here and the structure is not allowing it to happen.  I am wondering if I have an off bottle.  Best I can go is 85 points at this tasting and for $16 this is a 2 star wine.  Happy New Year!  Salut….

 

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Montagnac Syrah 2012

18 Sunday May 2014

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$8, 2 stars, 83 points, cheap and cheerful, languedoc, syrah


I saw this bottle in the shop and noticed it’s low $8 price tag, but I was on a mission so I passed.  Lo and behold my buddy showed up with it later in the afternoon.  I believe it hails from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France where they  grow tons of Syrah grapes.  This one looks to be a co-operative wine.  It started off with a slightly oxidized nose of purple plums and a scent I had never encountered in wine- grape bubble gum.  I was intrigued and sniffed for a good 5 minutes before I could pinpoint it.  Since I have never smelled it in wine nor have I ever seen it used as a descriptor I was curious about the taste.  Candied plums and maraschino cherries are what hit me.  I kept getting a whiff of alcohol as well but the bottle only registered at 13%.  Very slight tannins were evident and the balance was slightly off with a tartness.  This is probably a decent picnic wine for an afternoon of cucumber sandwiches and fried chicken on a blanket in the park.  83 points and 2 stars.  Salut….

montagnac syrah

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Chateau Sainte Marthe 2011

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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2 stars, 83 points, grenache, languedoc, mourvedre, syrah


I picked this Languedoc blend up for about $9 for a casual drink with the boys.  I knew nothing about it except its origin and vintage.  I guessed at the blend, 50% Syrah with the rest being Grenache and Mourverdre.  I initially got some red cherries on the nose which later turned somewhat oxidized.  A certain phenolic component also came through after the bottle had been open for a while.  On the initial palate I was rewarded with straightforward flavors of kirsch, red currants and a rubber component akin to car tires (kinda weird, I know).  The structure of this wine is very basic and meant for easy, short-term drinking with very little tannins but decent acidity.  The wine took on another dimension as I mentioned with some air time, it became more rustic with that oxidizing nose which did not really bother me.  I have another bottle which I will try, reporting back with any major deviations.  I would think this wine is a solid 83 points and 2 stars in my book.  It’s hard to find decent wine for under $10, but this bottle should do in a pinch, even with its mid-bottle morphing.  Salut….

IMG_0651

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Domaine Clavel Pic Saint-Loup Bonne Pioche 2010

26 Thursday Sep 2013

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$22, 3 stars, 87 points, gsm, languedoc


It’s Fall and there’s a chill in the air.  What better than a nice hearty Beef Stew?  Precisely what I thought.  Searching for a pairing, I needed something rugged, fruity, slightly tannic and perhaps earthy.   Enter the wines from the Languedoc.  Southern France produces some exceptional values that are downright delicious and don’t have the airs or the prices of their northern cousins.  The main varietal in this blend is Syrah, with near equal parts Grenache and Mourvedre balancing it all up.  It came in at 14% alcohol, which did not factor.

Dark purple in the glass, it had aromas of earth and black fruits.  On the palate; cherry, blackberry and cassis.  The earthy component was still evident but also some flowers, perhaps lavender came rising up.  There is a fine set of tannins lurking here, sitting quietly on the sidelines.  I wonder what this wine will be like in two years?  I reckon it may be worth cellaring a few to try it out.

I picked right.  Comfort food needs a hearty companion.  This wine fit the bill right on the money and didn’t break the bank at about $22.  87 points and 3 stars.  Explore the Languedoc if you have never tried them, fascinating combinations and great wines.  Salut….

IMG_2607

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