Some summer drinking

 

A couple of samples arrived last week, from Laurent Delaunay, who is a very talented winemaker, based in the Languedoc,  and also Burgundy, with a range of styles and wines   For more details, do read an earlier post, from September 2018.

 

But first another lovely Picpoul de Pinet from the Cave de l'Ormarine, the coop in the village of Pinet.  2020 Cuvée Conchylia -  £9.00 from  Majestic

 

This was everything that good Picpoul should be, nicely saline on both nose and palate, with good depth and a pleasing balance of fruit and acidity.  A firm dry finish.  In other words, classic Picpoul de Pinet.  Conchylia is a cuvée, made especially for Marks & Spencer, from one of the earliest plots to be harvested, so that the grapes retain their acidity and the wine has slightly lower alcohol than some.   The winemaking is meticulous, with the grapes harvested at night, with a pre-fermentation maceration, followed by a fermentation at a low temperature.

 

Then from Laurent Delaunay came 2020 Sauvignon, la Belle Angèle, Vin de France - £9.99 from Marks & Spencer

 

It is a Vin de France as it is a blend of regions, with 70% coming from the Gers, with sandy soil, and 30% from around the Etang de Thau, and also near Marseillette in the Aude.   Light colour, with good varietal character on both the nose and palate.   The nose was rounded with pithy Sauvignon fruit and the palate ripe without being sweet.  It was nicely mouth filling, with some refreshing acidity on the finish.   A month’s lees ageing enhances the fruit.  Apparently Majestic are about to launch it in a bag in box, as part of their new BIB range.  £24.99 for a 2.5. litre  BIB.

 

2019 Les Jamelles Syrah, Pays d’Oc   £7.25 from the Coop

 

From 20 year old bush vines, and a blend of origins, from different parts of the Languedoc, from near Nimes, with the stony soils of the southern Rhone; from Béziers with clay, and on limestone in the Aude.  Yields are modest.  Carbonic maceration is used for  30% of the blend and the rest is a classic fermentation, taking about three weeks.  Just ten percent is aged in oak.   Deep colour.  Ripe spice on both nose and palate.  Cassis fruit with some oak and a streak of tannin and a little acidity.  Quite an obviously sweet ripe finish.  Essentially easy drinking with easy undemanding fruit.