Languedoc at the Bunch tasting
The Bunch are a group of six dynamic independent wine merchants, namely
Adnams, Berry Bros & Rudd, Corney & Barrow, Lea & Sandeman, Tanners
and Yapp Brothers. They hold an annual
press tasting, which is always well worth attending, as you know the wines will
be exciting. You may not necessarily
like them, but they will have a personality and an attitude. Sadly
the Languedoc did not get that much of a look in this year, but of the four
wines from the region, I liked three enormously.
From Corney & Barrow there was a 2012 Picpoul de Pinet,
Domaine de Morin Langaran – £8.95
This is a new name to me; the label says that they are in Mèze. It had that pithy, salty, sappy quality that
all good Picpoul should have, that immediately makes you think of the sea, and
demands an oyster or a dozen by way of accompaniment. Deliciously refreshing and characterful
Yapp Brothers showed 2011 Pic St. Loup, Mas Bruguière, l’Arbouse. - £14.50
This was Pic St. Loup at its most elegant. Medium depth of colour. Some firm mineral stony fruit, with a touch
of red fruit, and on the palate rounded fruit, with balanced tannins and a
satisfying mineral note. Pic St. Loup
should be one of the more elegant appellations of the Languedoc, and this
certainly is. I’ve not visited this
estate for a while – it’s on the list. Xavier
Bruguière has taken
over from his father and is now working organically.
Adnams had a Costières de Nimes that was also new to me, Domaine
de la Cadenette, 2012 for £7.99, which is brilliant value. I always think of Costières de Nimes as the
Beaujolais of the Languedoc, the wine that provides straightforward appealing
fruit for easy drinking. And that is
just what this does, with some spicy red
fruit and supple tannins. Or to quote
Rob Chase from Adnams, it has the elegance of Provence, the ripeness of the
Rhone and the wild card element of the Languedoc. I couldn’t have put it better myself.
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