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).
BOUTENAC – Red
Soft, relatively friendly wines that show dark fruit flavours and nice tannins/acid mix. Boutenac is not ready to take on the world, but it has potential to be an exciting second wine you pour at a dinner party.
Chateau De Caraguilhes 2021 Trou De L’Ermite … Good
Château Grand Moulin 2018 Grès De Boutenac … Good
Château Maylandie 2020 Villa Ferrae … Good
Château Ollieux Romanis 2021 Atal Sia … Good
Chateau Sainte Lucie D’aussou 2017 Canta Per Ieu … Good
Chateau Sainte Lucie D’aussou 2019 Bella Dama … Good
Domaine De Fontsainte 2020 Clos Du Centurion … Better
Scav Terre D’expression 2019 L’improbable … Better
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CABARDES – Red
A hard tasting and a hard region to taste, as lots of wines from here are very high in the acidity department (and I like acidity in my wines) – but acidity seems to be a hallmark (both in the rose and red); and tannins get in the way and hurt the tongue (red). The better wines tame the acidity and find a way to integrate, and/or tame, both the tannins and the acidity, allowing the wines to be more approachable.
Chateau Auzias 2018 Gloria Mundi … Good
Château De Pennautier 2020 Château De Pennautier Terroirs D’altitude … Better
Château Deumié 2020 Chateau Deumié … Better
Chateau Du Donjon 2020 L’autre Château Du Donjon … Good
Château Parazols-Bertrou 2020 Ni Ange Ni Démon … Good
Château Parazols-Bertrou 2021 Tentation … Good
Chateau Tour De Rissac 2021 Chateau Tour De Rissac … Good
Domaine De Brau 2020 Château … Better
Domaine De Brau 2020 Etymologie … Good
Domaine De Cabrol 2018 La Dérive … Better
Domaine Galy 2021 Pech Saint Jean … Good
Le Clos Des Natices 2021 Le Clos Des Natices … Better
Maison Lorgeril 2019 Le Montpeyre … Better
Maison Ventenac 2019 Jules … Good
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FAUGERES – White
Chateau De La Liquiere 2021 Cistus Blanc … Good
Château Estanilles 2022 Sous Les Rocs … Good
Les Crus Faugeres 2022 Le Parfum Du Mas Olivier … Better
FAUGERES – Red
There is a lot of generic-sameness to these wines – but in these terms it is not a bad thing. Juicy on the palate wih a blend of red and black fruit; nice drinkability and easy going. These are wines to sit and enjoy on their own. In truth, there were very few wines I violently disliked – they were all good, drinkable and relatively enjoyable – Faugeres will make a lot of friends once the cork is pulled.
Abbaye Sylva Plana 2020 Le Songe De L’abbe … Good
Abbaye Sylva Plana 2021 La Closeraie … Good
Château Chênaie 2021 Conviction … Good
Château Estanilles 2019 Clos Du Fou … Better
Chateau Grezan 2021 Les Schistes Dorés … Good
Domaine Benezech-Boudal / Peyregrandes 2021 Peyregrandes Prestige … Good
Domaine Cottebrune 2019 Transhumance … Good
Domaine Cottebrune 2020 Paroles De Berger … Good
Domaine De Cébène 2021 Les Bancèls … Good
Domaine De L’arbussele 2019 Révélation … Good
Domaine Prés Lasses 2017 Castel Viel … Better
Domaine Saint Antonin 2021 Cazalet … Good
Domaine Saint Antonin 2021 Magnoux … Good
Hecht & Bannier 2017 Faugères … Better
Mas Des Capitelles 2019 Crescendo … Good
Mas Lou 2019 Tio … Good
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FITOU – Red
Fitou hits on some soft fruit notes and balances it with acidity and tannins – all at a very gentle level.
Champ Des Soeurs 2019 Bel Amant … Good
Château De Montmal 2021 Château De Montmal … Good
Chateau De Nouvelles 2019 Gabrielle … Better
Chateau De Nouvelles 2019 Vieilles Vignes … Better
Domaine Bertrand-Berge 2020 La Bouliere … Better
Domaine Du Vent 2021 Autan En Emporte … Better
Domaine Jones 2021 Fitou Vieilles Vignes … Better
Domaine Lérys 2021 Respélida … Good
Domaine Sarrat D’en Sol 2018 Arménie … Good
Les Grands Chais De France 2020 Vignes Centenaires … Good
Mas Des Caprices 2021 Ze Fitou … Good
Sarrat D’en Sol 2020 Sarrat D’en Sol … Good
Sas Jeff Carrel 2021 La Tire … Good
Sca Mont Tauch 2020 Chateau De Montmal … Good
Sca Mont Tauch 2020 Hommage … Better
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TERRASSES DU LARZAC – Red
Quite possibly one of the most palate friendly region tasted. Lovely fruit, tannins at a minimum, flavourful wines that do not tax the palate. This was a good flight full of easy to recommend wines.
Castelbarry 2020 Seul L’avenir M’interesse … Good
Chateau De Jonquieres 2021 La Baronnie … Good
Domaine De L’argenteille 2019 Les Secrets Du Rocher … Better
Domaine De L’argenteille 2020 Tramontane … Good
Domaine Du Pas De L’escalette 2021 Les Clapas … Good
Domaine Mas Conscience 2020 La Conscience … Good
Domaine Mas Conscience 2020 L’eveil … Good
Domaine Mas Laval 2020 La Grande Cuvee … Good
Domaine Nova Solis 2020 Zenith … Good
Gerard Bertrand 2020 Château La Sauvageonne Grand Vin Rouge … Better
Joseph Castan 2020 Alchimy … Good
La Jasse Castel 2021 Bleu Velours … Good
La Jasse Castel 2021 La Jasse … Good
La Reserve D’o 2019 La Côte D’arboras … Good
La Reserve D’o 2020 Hissez O … Good
La Reserve D’o 2020 La Réserve D’o … Good
Le Clos Rouge 2019 Maro … Good
Le Clos Rouge 2020 Babel … Good
Le Clos Rouge 2021 Alerte Rouge … Better
Les Vignes Oubliees 2021 Terrasses Du Larzac … Better
Mas De L’erme 2019 L’evidence … Good
Mas De L’erme 2020 Les Petits Princes … Better
Mas Des Chimères 2020 Nuit Grave … Good
Mas Haut Buis 2021 Costa Caoude … Good
Mas Lasta 2019 Terrasses Du Larzac … Good
Scea Clos Aguilem 2021 Kiara … Good
Terre Des 2 Sources 2020 Accords … Good