Archive: France: Languedoc-Roussillon: Red
Arrogant Frog 2008 Lily Pad Red Languedoc ($10). Appealing for its dark, briary cherry and plum fruit, with earth, herbal and spicy vanilla notes. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) and Merlot. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-10-18)
Chateau d’Aussieres 2006 Corbieres Blason d’Aussieres ($20). Juicy and slurpably easy, with black raspberry and plum fruit and black pepper notes, picking up touches of smoke, mineral and earth through the moderate finish. Delish with a lamb — from grilled chops to a spicy curry. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-04-29)
Chateau Maris
2004 Syrah Minervois La Livinière La Touge ($19). Absolutely delicious, with Rhone-like concentration to the black currant and berry flavors, black pepper and bittersweet chocolate notes and long, focused finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (World Wide Wine 08/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2004 Syrah Minervois La Liviniere Old Vine ($28). Ripe, opulent cassis and blueberry fruit is laced with mocha, espresso and brown spices, with a long finish and balancing acidity. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (World Wide Wine 08/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2004 Grenache Minervois La Liviniere Old Vine ($28). Juicy red berry and plum flavors are accented with plenty of fresh herbs and a touch of mocha. Stays focused through the mouthwatering finish. Ready to drink now. (World Wide Wine 08/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Chateau Sainte Eulalie 2007 Minervois Plaisir d’Eulalie ($16). I liked this for its earth- and mineral-laced plum fruit that starts slow and builds through the moderate finish. Quite food friendly — pair with anything from charcuterie and cheeses to stews, short ribs and roasts. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-17)
Domaine de Nizas
2004 Vin de Pays d’Oc Reserve ($35). A wonderful example of the new face “Vin de Pays” out of the the Languedoc, this offers deep black currant, blackberry, espresso, licorice and a touch of game on a smooth, supple frame. A blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Long, lush, focused finish. Delicious now and over the next four or five years. (World Wide Wine 08/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2003 Coteaux du Languedoc ($17). Appealing earthy notes underlie the focused black plum and currant fruit, picking up smoky, roasted herbs through the long finish. Ready to drink now. (World Wide Wine 08/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Domaine Ligneres
2003 Corbières Le Signal ($18). Another appealing choice from this Languedoc producer, offering layers of red plum and cherry fruit, baking spices and a touch of minerality. Focused, if moderate, finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 12/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2002 Corbieres Notre Dame ($30). Concentrated plum and currant flavors offer plenty of zip, with warm spicy notes that carry through the long finish. 100% Syrah. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine 04/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)
2006 Chateau d’Aussieres ($19). Quite pretty for a Corbieres, actually, with fresh red fruit aromas and flavors — cherry, raspberry — laced with peppery spice, slight earthy accents, and a light touch of dark chocolate on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-07-16)
2005 Corbieres Blason d’Aussieres ($19). Boldly flavored, with black plum, cherry, earth and herbal notes, and a spicy, slightly smoky finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-07-16)
Les Vignerons de la Mediterranee 2007 Corbieres Les Deux Rives ($9). A heck of a deal. Not overly complex, but completely likeable for its ripe berry flavors and savory spice notes that persist nicely on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignon. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-12-14)
Robert Skalli
2007 Syrah-Grenache Coteaux du Languedoc ($19). Brambly, slightly rustic, dark fruit — currant, berry, blueberry — with light dried herb and mineral accents, and some grip on the finish. Best with food, like roasted meats. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-17)
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Vin de Pays d’Oc ($20). Medium-bodied and food friendly, with bright blackberry and wild blueberry fruit laced with dried herbs and peppery oak notes that linger on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine 05/08) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Val d’Orbeiu 1998 Corbieres Les Deux Rives ($7). A good example of the solid values coming out of this region, this wine shows plum and berry fruit with an all French stone note, and a touch of pepper. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 08/01) Locate this wine online or in your area.