Languedoc wines at Yapp Bros

 

Yapp Bros may have started life as Loire and Rhône specialists but over the years they have diversified their range and now have a small, but exciting selection from the south of France.   This is what I enjoyed at their recent tasting.   The prices are the retail price per bottle including VAT.  

 

NV Crémant de Limoux, Cuvée Prestige Rosé, Domaine Collin - £17.50

I have never visited this producer, but judging by his rosé, I think  I should.  Pretty pale pink colour, with  a delicate nose.  The palate is quite fragrant and rounded, with some raspberry fruit and balancing acidity.  A hint of richness on the finish which made me wonder about the amount of dosage.  

 

2020 Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Gaujal, Cuvée Ludovic Gaujal - £13.25

Light colour.  Quite a firm salty nose.  Quite a solid round palate and a touch flat on the finish.  I suspected some oak, which I am not sure always works with Picpoul.   However, the website makes no mention of oak.

 

2020 Faugères Blanc, Château Estanilles, Vallongue - £16.25

A blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino.  Light colour. Quite a delicate note, with some light herbal notes on the palate. Fresh with good acidity and still very youthful   A little bottle age will fill out the palate nicely.  

 

2020 Languedoc Blanc, Domaine Mas Bruguière, Les Mûriers - £21.50

From one of my favourite Pic St Loup producers, but as Pic St Loup is only red, any white wine is either an IGP or a simple AOP Languedoc.  This is a blend of Roussanne and Vermentino.  Light colour.  A delicate nose and lightly rounded on the palate with good texture and mouthfeel. Delicate fruit, balanced with acidity and nice bitter note, un joli amer, on the finish. 

 

2020 Collioure, Domaine la Tour Vieille, les Canadells - £18.95

This is one of my all-time favourite Roussillon whites and the 2020 vintage did not disappoint.  A blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeo and Roussanne.  Light colour. Rounded leesy fruit on the nose and palate, with some acidity balancing the satisfying weight and texture of the wine. A slightly bitter finish, which makes for some freshness.  Collioure may be better known for its red wines, but this is an example of just how good the white wines of Roussillon can be.

 

2020 Domaine Girard, Pays d’Oc Rosé, Garriguette - £12.75

A pure Cabernet Franc from Malepère.  Medium colour.  A fresh nose with light, cherry fruit on the palate.  Ripe fruit balanced with fresh acidity.    A refreshing and original rosé from a less well-known and cooler part of the Languedoc, south west of Carcassonne.

 

2021 Côtes du Roussillon, Clos des Fées, les Sorcières - £16.95

A blend of Carignan, Grenache Noir and Syrah.  Deep young colour.  Rounded ripe spicy fruit on both nose and palate, with supple tannins.  Eminently easy drinking, with a freshness on the finish. 

 

2021 Domaine Girard, IGP Pays d’Oc, Pinot Noir - £14.25

Quite light colour. Light fresh raspberry fruit on nose and palate.  A touch of tannin and a little acidity.   Easy drinking.  Serve slightly chilled.

 

2020 Domaine Roquemale, Pays de l’Hérault, Méli-Mélo - £14.75

Unusually, a pure Alicante Bouschet.   From vineyards in the village of Villeveyrac within the appellation of Grés de Montpellier.  Quite a deep young colour.  Rounded ripe berry fruit on both nose and palate.  A harmonious palate, with rounded berry flavours and some balancing tannin.

 

2018 St Chinian, Château Milhau-Lacugue, Cuvée Magali - £13.75

A blend of Cinsault, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah.  Medium colour.    Some spice and black fruit on the nose, with a ripe rounded palate.  A lovely spicy mouthful of fruit.  

 

2017 Domaine de Montcalmès, Terrasses du Larzac - £29.95

This is one of my favourite estates in the Terrasses du Larzac, run by a brother and sister, with a cellar in the pretty village of Puéchabon.   A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah.  Medium colour.  Elegant spice on the nose and a hint of oak.  The wine is beautifully crafted, with youthful potential, elegance, length and depth.  

 

2011 Domaine de Trévallon  - £95.00

Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.  One of the iconic estates of Provence and the property that created the reputation of Les Baux de Provence, even though the wine has never conformed to the appellation requirements.  Eloi Dürrbach, who sadly died much too young, last autumn always adamantly refused to plant Grenache Noir.  Quite an evolved colour.  Notes of leather, cassis and spice on the nose, and on the palate spice and fruit with some balancing tannin, and a touch of acidity, with quite a juicy finish. Lots of nuances.  One of those wines that keeps you guessing, that really needs to be enjoyed over a leisurely meal.  

 

The final item of the tasting had nothing at all to do with wine, but I enjoyed it so much that I must at least mention it here, namely  Sprigster Non-Alcoholic Botanical Aperitif from The Kitchen Garden.  So often I find non-alcoholic drinks far too sweet, but this was an exception.  The flavours include rhubarb, hops, fennel, ginger and apple juice, all steeped and marinated together, with no added sugars, and then served with tonic water.  It was deliciously refreshing. And very moreish!

www.yapp.co.uk