Languedoc tasting Experience le Sud - Part I - National Retailers
Experience le Sud was the name given to the most recent tasting of offerings from the Languedoc. These days Occitanie also includes Roussillon, part of the Rhône Valley and a handful of appellations in the southwest, such as Gaillac and Cahors. There was a total of 291 wines altogether, sorted into categories, with wines from national retailers, the likes of Majestic and Waitrose. Then there were the Independent wine merchants and finally wines available in the On Trade. Needless to say I was extremely selective and gave full range of some of my prejudices…..I did not taste anything from the outside the Languedoc or Roussillon, and I ignored some of the bigger producers. So what follows are three separate posts, one per selection, with numerous highlights. This means that some appellations will feature more than once.
National Retailers:
2023 Corbières Blanc, Château Grand Moulin – Majestic - £11.99
A blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, with 25% each of Rolle and Roussanne. Medium weight. A firm dry nose, with fresh herbal fruit on the palate, with good acidity on the finish.
2023 Loubissou Organic Rosé, Cabrières les Caves d’Estabel – in other words the Cabrières coop. The village has always had a certain reputation for its rosé. This was a blend of 40% Grenache Noir, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 10% Clairette. £20.00 from Latihwaites. Delicate dry nose; light fresh fruit, with some backbone and fresh acidity. No great depth but nicely refreshing.
2022 Fitou, Madame Parmentier - £9.99 - Waitrose
This was a bit of a trip down memory lane as I am old enough to remember the popularity of Claude Parmentier Fitou in the 1980s. I have no idea who she was but her name put Fitou firmly on the map for quite a while. A blend of Carignan and Grenache. Medium colour. Ripe spicey fruit. Mediumweight. A streak of tannin and some dry savoury fruit.
2022 Domaine Lerys, Fitou - £11.99 - Majestic
A blend of 60% Carignan Noir, and 20% each of Grenache and Syrah. Good colour. Dry spice on the nose and palate with a touch of oak. Youthful.
2019 Le Tarral Montpeyroux, Castelberry, AOP Languedoc – Laithwaites - £16.99
A blend of 40% each of Grenache and Carignan with 20% Syrah. The coop in the village of Montpeyroux works for its appellation and village. And this wine was a fine example of what they do. Medium colour. Firm dry spicy nose and on the palate rounded spice with a youthful finish. A taste of the south.
2023 The Society's French Grenache, IGP Côtes Catalanes - £8,25 - The Wine Society
Medium colour. Quite a firm nose, but with more obvious liqueur cherry fruit on the palate and a balancing streak of tannin. Good value.
Chosen by Majestic, Corbières, Castelmaure - £9.99 - Majestic
80% Syrah with 20% Grenache. From one of the leading cooperatives of Corbières. High up in the hills, with wild scenery. And that is how the wine taste. Firm and spicy with some weight and body. Balanced with youthful tannins.
2022 Le Saint Martin, Vignobles Lorgeril, Côtes du Roussillon Villages - £13.99 - Majestic Wines
A blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre
Medium colour. Quite firm and peppery on the nose and palate. Youthful tannins and a juicy finish.
2023 Vieilles Vignes, Château Maris, Minervois - Waitrose - £11.99
A blend of Syrah and Grenache Noir. We were not told how old the vines are, but Syrah will not be so old. Medium colour. Youthful peppery spice. Elegant concentration and tight knit tannins. A youthful finish.
2021 Chateau Maris, les 3 Planels, Minervois la Livinière - £18.99 - Waitrose
A blend of Syrah and Grenache. Medium colour. Quite rounded spice and fruit. And more accessible than the previous wine, although more expensive.
2021 Taste the difference St Chinian from Laurent Miquel -
Sainsburys - £9.50
A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache Noir. A refreshing 13.5% Medium colour. Quite firm and peppery on the nose, with fresh peppery fruit on the palate. Tight knit and structured, with youthful fruit.
2022 Le Géant du Pic, les Vignerons du Pic, IGP St Guilhem-le-Désert - Laithwaites - £13.99
60% Syrah with 20% each of Grenache and Carignan. Medium colour. Quite a structured firm nose, with ripe appealing fruit on the palate. More fleshy than the nose would indicate. This comes from the coop of St. Mathieu-de-Tréviers in the heart of the Pic St Loup.
2022 Faugères, Terre du Sud, Château la Liquière - £11.99 -Majestic
50% Syrah, with 20% each of Carignan and Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. Medium colour. Firm dry spice with some oak. Quite structured and tannic. Fresh and youthful.
Comments