(April 2023) … These are my honest, no-nonsense thoughts about the wines I tasted from the Languedoc’s various sub-regions presented on that day.
First, there is my take on the region, based on all the wines I tried … then the wines I liked are scored based on a Good, Better, Best approach (all lists are alphabetized).
CORBIERES – White
I’d classify these as “white wines” nothing to get jazzed about.
Chateau De Caraguilhes 2022 La Font Blanche … Good
Domaine La Bouysse 2022 Cyprius … Better
Famille D’exéa 2022 Blason De Sérame Blanc … Good
Scea Chateau Montfin 2022 Sur Pilotis … Good
CORBIERES – Red
It’s a big area with an identity crisis, and there is not one style that dominates.
I tasted all 73 wines and there was as much good stuff as there was generic.
Ask me what makes a Corbieres wine and I’d be hard pressed to tell you.
Castelmaure 2021 Les Hauts … Better
Cellier Des Demoiselles 2022 Rouge Demoiselles … Good
Chateau Auris 2020 Chateau Auris … Better
Château Etang Des Colombes 2020 Bois Des Dames … Good
Château Fabre Cordon 2021 Qui M’aime Me Suive … Good
Château La Baronne 2017 Alaric … Good
Château La Baronne 2020 Les Chemins … Better
Chateau Mansenoble 2019 Reserve … Good
Chateau Mansenoble 2020 Montagne D’alaric … Good
Château Peyrepertuse 2019 1240 … Good
Chateau Sainte Lucie D’aussou 2020 Patz E Amor … Good
Domaine De Fontenelles 2021 Elysée … Good
Domaine Des 2 Anes 2021 Fontanilles … Better
Domaine Fairjal 2022 Fairjal … Better
Famille D’exéa 2022 Blason De Sérame Rouge … Better
Famille Fabre 2020 Chateau De Luc Veredus … Better
Famille Fabre 2020 Lux De Luc … Good
Les Vignobles Foncalieu 2019 Chateau Haut Gleon … Good
Sainte Marie Des Crozes 2020 Hector Et Juliette … Better
Scav Les Terroirs Du Vertige 2019 Corvaria … Good
Scav Les Terroirs Du Vertige 2019 Roc De Bonelli … Good
Scav Terre D’expression 2021 Delicatesse … Better
Scav Terre D’expression 2021 Fortes Tetes … Good
Scea Ch Vaugelas 2020 V … Good
Scea Château De Mattes 2020 Sabran … Better
Scea Chateau Vaugelas 2021 Prieure … Good
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LA CLAPE – White
This region had a 60% ratio of good to blah.
Château D’anglès 2022 Classique Blanc … Good
Château De Marmorières 2021 Marquis De Raymond … Good
Chateau Pech Redon 2022 Epervier … Good
Chateau Rouquette Sur Mer 2022 Cuvée Arpège … Good
Commanderie Saint Pierre La Garrigue 2020 Commanderie Saint Pierre La Garrigue … Better
La Vendémiaire 2021 Les Arbres Blancs … Better
LA CLAPE – Red
There’s an herbal freshness to some of the better versions that help the fruit shine through.
Chateau Capitoul 2019 Oros Cayenne … Better
Château De Marmorières 2020 Marquis De Raymond … Best
Chateau Laquirou 2020 Ausines … Better
Château Moyau 2018 Terre De Pierres … Better
Château Ricardelle 2020 Vendredi XIII … Good
Combe Des Ducs 2021 Pierres De Mer … Better
Domaine Sarrat De Goundy 2021 Le Planteur … Better
Gérard Bertrand 2020 Grand Vin Rouge … Better
Scea Chateau De Figuières 2017 Impetus Rouge … Better
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MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE – Red
The best of these are light, fruity and exotic – there’s a subtle elegance to them
Lovely fruit – subtle spice – exotic finishes. Fun wines.
Chateau De Gourgazaud 2019 Cuvée Mélanie … Better
Chateau De Gourgazaud 2021 Pater Familias … Better
Château Guéry 2020 Magnifique … Better
Château Maris 2020 Les Planels … Better
Chateau Sainte Eulalie 2021 Bellezour Anima … Good
Clos Des Roques 2020 Clos Des Roques … Good
Domaine Combe Blanche 2019 La Galine … Better
Domaine Combe Blanche 2020 La Chandelière … Good
Domaine De La Senche 2020 Cuvee Somi … Better
Domaine De L’oustal Blanc 2019 Prima Donna … Good
Domaine La Rouviole 2021 Caïssa … Good
Domaine La Siraniere 2017 Excelsus … Better
Domaine La Siraniere 2020 Les Capitelles … Good
Domaine Les Combes Cachées 2019 Soleil Rouge … Good
Domaine Tour Trencavel 2019 Domaine Tour Trencavel … Better
Scea Chateau La Croix Martelle 2020 Terrasses De Sirus … Good
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PICPOUL DE PINET – White
There is a a reason these babies love oysters – it’s a perfect pairing
The best rival Sauvignon Blanc, while others show off other citrus and mineral flavours.
Cave Coopérative – Les Costières De Pomerols 2022 Picpoul De Pinet Beauvignac … Good
Chateau Saint-Martin-De-La-Garrigue 2022 Picpoul … Better
Domaine De Petit Roubié 2022 Picpoul De Pinet Château … Better
Domaine Félines Jourdan 2022 Aop Picpoul De Pinet … Good
Flores – Les Vigneorns De Florensac 2021 Picpoul Selection … Good
Hecht & Bannier 2022 Picpoul De Pinet … Better
La Croix Gratiot 2022 Syndical … Good
Les Vignerons Montagnac Domitienne 2021 Haerentia … Good
Les Vignerons Montagnac Domitienne 2022 M Comme Montagnac … Better