(MAY 3, 2023) … PIC SAINT-LOUP
This morning I sat in at on the Masterclass about Pic Saint Loup – here are some of the highlights. 
One of the finest Vin de Garde regions of Languedoc. The Legend of the name: there are three knights, named Loup / Guiral and Clair, are in love with the same woman, the woman dies. They decide to live in silence on different Mountain tops in the area – they light fires every year to commemorate the woman they loved. The last one left, survivor, to light a fire was “Loup”.
Pic Saint-Loup is the most northerly of the regions: 658m above sea level at its highest peak – it has rugged terrain and plantings are at about 150-300m. And it was the last of the Languedoc sub-apps to receive its AOP status (2017).
The region encompasses 1400 hectares (approx), with 75 independent “domaines”, 3 co-ops, and the region breaks down its wine production into: 90% Red / 10% Rosé … it is also one of the wettest regions of Languedoc (1000mm / year); but with a relatively dry growing season (~150mm). The soils are dominated by limestone.
Syrah makes up at least 50%; with both Grenache and Mourvedre playing integral parts; blends must be a minimum of two of these grapes. Secondary grapes include: Carignan, Cinsault, Cournoise, Morristel – capped at 10% of a blend; minimum ageing is 9 months (many go much longer).
Rosés are made up of at least 30% Syrah and 2 of the main grapes; Grenache Gris is also allowed.
One thing that makes the region so desirable for winemaking is its great diurnal temperature variation.
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These are my honest, no-nonsense thoughts about the wines I tasted from the Languedoc’s various sub-regions presented on that day.
First, I provide my take on the region, based on all the wines I tried … then I score the wines I liked on a scale of Good, Better, Best (then I list them alphabetically).
Chateau De Cazeneuve 2021 Les Calcaires … Good
Château Fontanès 2019 Sereen … Better
Château La Roque 2020 La Cupa … Better
Château La Roque 2021 Château La Roque … Good
Chateau Lancyre 2019 Grande Cuvée Rouge … Good
Château L’euzière 2021 Almandin … Good
Chemin Des Rêves 2021 Gueule De Loup … Good
Domaine Cammaous Et Caussarelle 2019 Roubioire … Better 
Domaine Cammaous Et Caussarelle 2020 Cent Seize … Good
Domaine De L’hortus 2020 Domaine De L’hortus “Grande Cuvée” … Good
Domaine De L’hortus 2021 Bergerie De L’hortus … Good
Domaine La Fournaca 2021 Le Baiser De La Vigne … Good
Domaine Les Grandes Costes 2019 Les Grandes Costes … Good
Domaine Mirabel 2021 Les Éclats … Good
Domaine Uma 2020 Domaine Uma … Better
Gaec Heritage Du Pic Saint Loup 2021 Sainte Agnes … Better
Hommes Et Terres Du Sud 2021 La Cordée … Good
La Gravette 2020 Gravettissime … Good
La Gravette 2020 L’intégrale … Good
La Gravette 2021 Rocastel … Better
La Gravette 2022 A L’etat Pur … Good
Puech Haut 2019 Lavabre … Better
Vignobles Des 3 Châteaux 2019 Les Déesses Muettes Obsession … Good
Vignobles Des 3 Châteaux 2020 La Célébration … Good
Vignobles Des 3 Châteaux 2020 La Diablesse … Good
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MASTERCLASS WINES … “Pic Saint-Loup – a wine for ageing”
La Bergerie du Capucin 2011 Larmanella:
Not thrilling: dark, pruney, with some VA … pluses: peppery and toasty
Chateau Lancyre 2010 Vieilles Vignes:
Still alive: good dried fruit extract with notes of licorice and good length; savoury notes with tobacco and cedar.
Chateau de Cazeneuve 2010 Le Sang du Calvaire:
80% Mourvedre; licorice, smoky, floral firm center, comes across very young in its flavour profile.
Chateau de Lascaux 2009 Les Secrets: 
wow-wine … lively, elegant, delicate yet still fresh and punchy. Subtle dried fruit leather, with a punch of acid/tannin on the finish.
Heritage du Pic Saint Loup 2006 Sainte Agnes:
An education in bottle variation: 1) harsh with VA and coffee bean. 2) fresher, lighter, elegant dried fruit, quite drinkable and dry.