Vignoble du Loup Blanc
A visit to Vignoble du Loup Blanc, with Carine Farre, near the hamlet of Roueyre, close to the village of Bize-Minervois, and following up a recommendation from Clément Mengus from Castigno.
First an explanation of the name. A loup blanc or white wolf is something that does not really exist. So a flight of fantasy.
We tasted in quite a smart new building that housed the cellar, but in 2003 Carine, with her compagnon at the time, had bought the traditional cellar old opposite. It had a belonged to two brothers who were cooperative members, who had not really used it since the war. Carine and her partners put it too good use for 15 years before they built the new cellar. They are four associates, two in France, here and two in Quebec, including Carine’s brother. They are not from a wine family, but came to wine par passion. Their parents were farmers, and they simply learnt on the job.
They now have 16 hectares in three ilots, at the nearby village of Cazelles; here in the valley where it is cooler than the third plot on the plateau by the hamlet of La Roueyre. It is an idyllic spot, in an isolated valley and a keen bird watching friend told me that it is one of the few places where you can see a rarer breed of owl.
With the white wines, there are three contrasting styles.
2024. Soif Blanc, Vin de France - 11.50€
A blend of Terret which adapts well to the heat, plus Grenache Blanc and Macabeo. Firm fruit with very good acidity. Elegant weight and length. Carine explained that Terret is ripe at 12.5% but does not have a lot of personality. Grenache provides the backbone and Macabeo the acidity. There is an intentional hint of residual sugar, less than 2.5 gms/l, that rounds outs the finish.
2021 le Régal, Vin de France - 18.80€
A blend of Terret, Grenache Blanc and Carignan Blanc. Half vinified in 600 litre demi-muids and half in stainless steel vats. A little more colour and quite oaky on the nose. Quite solid and rounded, with oak and acidity. Too oaky for my taste.
2022 Carignan Blanc, Vin de France - 33.00€
The Carignan Blanc was planted in 2009. Made as a monocepage in particularly successful years, but otherwise blended in le Régal. Just one demi-muid producing 750 bottles. 12 months in wood. A little colour. A touch of oak on the nose. And on the palate, good acidity with some weight and matière. Good length. Potential. The main problem with Carignan Blanc is its sensitivity to oidium. It is growing in popularity, but there is still not a lot available.
2024 Canon Cinsault, Vin de France - 12.00€
The Cinsault was planted in 2019. On clay. A short, five day maceration. Nicely perfumed with acidity as well as tannin. Fresh fruit. Light and elegant.
2024 Soif Rouge, Vin de France - 11.50€
A blend of Carignan, Grenache and Chenanson, of which they have one hectare. It was already there when they bought their vineyards. It is a cross between Grenache Noir and Jurançon Noir and resembles Grenache in taste.
Quite a light colour. Light fruit on the nose. Quite a firm palate with a little acidity as well as tannin. Refreshing, easy drinking.
2023 Régal Rouge, Minervois - 14.90€
From ten different plots,including clay and limestone and galets roulés. A blend of Carignan, Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Kept in a concrete vat. Medium colour. Quite a firm nose and palate, with some fresh elegant fruit.
Carine explained that they use minimal sulphur, but are not completely natural. Indigenous yeast can make things more complicated. They have worked organically since 2004 and began farming biodynamically in 2009.
2021 les P'tits Cochons, IGP Aude - 16.50€
The name refers to a fairy tale and the wine is a blend of Carignan, Grenache, Alicante Bouschet and some Tempranillo that had been planted in 1970. Kept mainly in concrete and just one tronconique oak vat.
Quite rounded. Mediumweight. Quite elegant. Supple tannins. Lightly peppery nose. A backbone with a dry finish.
2021 La Mère Grand, Minervois - 22.00€
Two plots on a limestone plateau. 40% 60 year old Carignan and 60% equally old Grenache. Blended at vinification and aged for 12 months in 60 hls foudres
Quite a rounded nose and palate. Dry spice on the nose, with a firm tannic streak on the palate, and a fresh finish. Good potential.
2018 Mechant Loup, IGP Aude - 25.00€
100% Alicante in new wood. 14.5%
Deep colour. Spicy nose and palate. Quite rounded and fleshy. More weight balanced with a tannic streak. Not made every year and the blend changes, with Tempranillo in 2014; Grenache and Carignan in 2022; pure Carignan in 2005 and 2007 and pure Grenache in 2010.
Le Régal Orange, Vin de France - 16.80€
Three weeks maceration of Muscat à petits grains and a little Grenache juice. Picked when it is not too ripe. Not obviously Muscat. A hint of mint, A hint of honey. Quite dry with some acidity and a streak of tannin
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