Languedoc

14 Vin de Pays des Côteaux de Peyriac 2009
Domaine Massamier la Mignarde

Grape:30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carignan, 20% Cinsault, 10% Grenache, 10% Syrah (14% alc.)

This wine is traditionally vinified (most cheap reds are made by macération carbonique) by a very good Minervois La Livinière producer. A natural wine with good fruit and character.

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*New* 15 IGP Saint Guilhem Le Désert 2010
Domaine Coston

Grape:30% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 10% Cinsault (14% alc.)

This comes from the chalky, clayey slopes of Puéchabon, 50 kilometres north-west of Montpellier. It has an attractive ruby colour, fresh, juicy cherry fruit, spice and pepper on the palate. For drinking now to 2012.

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16 Viognier Vin de Pays d’Oc 2010
Domaine Rougié

Grape:100% Viognier (13.5% alc.)

Very low yields (30hh) provide the base for this quality oak-aged viognier with a characteristic apricoty, peachy stamp. For drinking now to 2012.

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17 Minervois AC 2009
Château de Rieux

Grape:90% Syrah, 10% Grenache (14% alc.)

This syrah dominant Minervois has lush, attractive blackberry fruit, liquorice, a touch of oak and silky tannins. For drinking now to 2012.

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18 Minervois AC 2007 La Nine
Domaine Jean-Baptiste Senat

Grape:50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 10% Cinsault, 10% Mourvèdre (13% alc.)

Jean-Baptiste Senat’s wine has a delectable kernel of old vine fruit and hints of Mediterranean herbs and spice. Cuve aged only it retains both a freshness and purity that are very rare in Languedoc. For drinking now to 2012.

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19 Cabardès AC 2005 Vent d’Est
Domaine de Cabrol

Grape:60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon (13.5% alc.)

Given a two year elevage in cuve, this wine has an attractive plum colour, lovely rich, complex texture on the palate, with notes of black cherry, spice, olives and herbs with savoury, fine grained tannins on the finish. For drinking now to 2012.

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20 Carignan Vin de Pays d’Oc 2009
Domaine des Terres Falmet

Grape:100% Carignan (13.5% alc.)

Yves Falmet’s wines have attractive, unforced fruit with excellent texture and mouthfeel. This low yield, hand-harvested carignan comes from the same north-facing vineyard as his Saint Chinian and has been cuve aged to retain all its spicy, black, liquoricey fruit. For drinking now to 2012.

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21 St Chinian AC 2007 L’Ivresse des Cimes
Domaine des Terres Falmet

Grape:40% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache (13.5% alc.)

From a steep hillside vineyard in the Montagne Noire, this comes from 40 year old vines, and is minerally, spicy and tobaccoey. In our view Saint Chinian is one of the finest appellations of Languedoc, and this is a really good example. For drinking now to 2012.

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*New* 22 Côteaux du Languedoc AC 2007 Basaltique
Domaine Le Conte des Floris

Grape:80% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault & Grenache (14% alc.)

This is a wonderful expression of old vine carignan, with a notable mineral stamp similar to that of fine Etna reds. The wine has a very attractive blackcurrant nose with dried thyme and a hint of cedar. The structure in the mouth is very harmonious, with blackcurrant fruit, minerality and ripe, fine grained tannins. For drinking now to 2013.

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*New* 23 Côteaux du Languedoc AC 2008 Arès Blanc
Domaine Le Conte des Floris

Grape:65% Marsanne, 35% Carignan Blanc (13.5% alc.)

A complex and very original wine, this has a deservedly excellent reputation. It is rich, dense and yet very balanced, offering apricot and peach fruit, nuts, honey, gingerbread and liquorice, with a gently spicy, very long finish. Will appeal to lovers of fine northern Rhône whites. For drinking now to 2013.

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