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Creme de Languedoc

Reviews of wine from Languedoc Roussillon, South France

There are so many wonderful wines now being produced in Languedoc Roussillon, south France. The days when this area produced only the 'vin de plonc' of France are now over. New vines and techniques have revolutionised the quality of Languedoc Roussillon's wines. Our two intrepid wine hunters, Geoff Taylor and Simon Charles will be reviewing a wine each every month - one they've 'discovered' - one they feel offers exceptional value for money.
This month's reviews:
Sim's Pick
This month, Simon Charles falls in love
with Domaine de la Mouline 2003.
Domain: Peyriac
Region: Minervois
Grape:  
Year: 2000
Price per bottle:
€6.00
Available at:
The domain

This Languedoc red wine comes from the St. Chinian area, the vineyard is near Roquebrun famous for its ‘Schisteil’ (shale) soil and the famous National Park of the Languedoc. 

This small domain has managed a wonderful blend of different grape varieties as follows:
20% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 30 % Carignan and 10% Cinsault thus making a deliciously complex dark red wine with a peppery, spicy nose and the flavour of Garrique. 

This wine won the 2004 bronze medal in the area “Concours des Grands Vin” with a proof of 13%.  Highly recommended at approximately  €3.65 a bottle.  It is particularly recommended for drinking with red meats and cheese and should be served at between 16 and 18 degrees C, and may be kept for up to five years.

Geoff's Pick
Geoff Taylor's find this month is  a red from Clos de Mathieu.
Domain: Sainte Luchaire
Region: Minervois
Grape: Syrah & Carignan
Year: 2001
Price per bottle:
€5.40
Available at:
The domain

An outstanding wine is invariably more memorable if one or more of the characters associated with it are also interesting.

Such is the Minervois red produced under the label “Clos de Mathieu” at Domaine Sainte Luchaire near Aigne, Languedoc.

Normally my editors like a picture of the bottle to accompany these tasting notes but this time they’ve got a photo of M. Ives Bru himself. Yves Bru is what in France is called Un Numero – with his beret and moustache he could be the proprietor of Les Deux Magots in Paris.

Clos de Mathieu isn’t his most expensive wine but its elegant and full fruit is matched by the merest hint of oak. Like most of the “hill” Minervois as opposed to the “flats”, it relies on the Syrah grape fortified with Carignan. I managed to snap up M. Bru’s last two cartons of the 2001 last week and am eagerly waiting for a taste of the 2002. Each vintage spends six months in oak followed by 2-3 years in steel.

For our readers in the UK, at €5.40 the bottle – drink your heart out!

Past Reviews
Below you'll find past reviews of wines. Simply click on any wine's name to read its review.
Red wine of Languedoc White wine of Languedoc
Roche Mazet,
Chateau de Peyriac, 2000, €6
 

 

 
The Wine of Languedoc
 
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Wine Reviews
 
WIne Tasting in Languedoc
 
 
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