Domaine de l’Argenteille

I tasted one of Roger Jeanjean’s wines on the Terrasses du Larzac walk last summer and so the Independent Winegrowers tasting in London provided the opportunity to try the complete range.   Roger Jeanjean – and No, he is not related to the Jeanjean who are one of the largest producers of the Languedoc – has had a varied wine trade career.  He is a qualified oenologist and was director of the cooperative in the Hérault village of Gabian for a number of years and then set up his own négociant business, Millésime Sud, and then he inherited ten hectares of family vines that are situated between Jonquières and St. Saturnin.  So that was the moment to become a vigneron.  His range is en construction, as he put it.  He has pulled up some vines and bought some others.

2014 Languedoc Rosé – 7.00€

A blend of Mourvèdre 80% and Grenache 20% . Pressed grapes.  Light colour.  Fresh light dry fruit.  Nicely refreshing palate.

2014 Languedoc Rouge

A blend of Mourvèdre and Syrah,  Still in vat and intended for bottling in May.  Some attractive fruit on both nose and palate, but still rather adolescent, which is not surprising, but certainly with potential.

2013 Terrasses du Larzac Garric – 12.50€

30% each of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan with 10% Grenache Noir.  20% aged in wood, so the nose is quite oaky and the wine needs to breathe.  The palate is quite solid and ripe with good tannins and a refreshing note that is so characteristic of the Terrasses du Larzac.

2012 Garric,

An identical blend, but quite a different vintage. Quite a firm rounded nose, and on the palate, medium weight, and quite fleshy with some acidity and tannin, and a satisfying balance.

2013 Terrasses du Larzac, les Roches des Fées

30% each of Grenache Noir and Carignan, with 40% Syrah.  A small percentage goes into wood.  This was a vat sample and will be bottled in May or June.  It was very rounded and ripe with a touch of vanilla.  A satisfyingly harmonious palate that promises well. 

I shall look forward to seeing how Roger’s wines develop and evolve.