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Domaine d'Archimbaud - Saint Saturnin
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Domaine d'Archiimbaud
Domaine d'Archimbaud
Jean-Pierre Cabanes was a member of the Saint-Saturnin village cooperative for many years until, in 2001, he struck out on his own, ably assisted in the wine-making process by his daughter Marie-Pierre. And when you taste these lovely wines, it is not hard to see why. In an appellation that is still largely dominated by the cooperative, Domaine d'Archimbaud is - as I write - one of just two private growers in Saint-Saturnin (the other being Virgile Joly). The oak-matured Robe du Pourpre 2001 was immediately awarded a star in the Guide Hachette, and subsequent vintages have also been starred.
Whilst unmistakeably Languedoc, the flavours in these wines tend to the more “cool climate” style. The village is situated in the sub-region or "terroir" known as Terrasses de Larzac, in the foothills of the Causse du Larzac, a limestone plateau on the southern edge of the Massif Central. Here the altitude is higher (500ft above sea level) but the climate is different - the days are still sunny and hot, but the nights are cooler than the more coastal and low-lying regions of Languedoc, allowing for a slightly longer growing season. The result is wines of great finesse, balance and complexity. The grapes at Domaine d'Archimbaud are mainly Syrah and Grenache, with a little Mourvedre and Carignan (10% of the blend) adding further dimensions and interest. The vines average 22 years of age and yields are restricted to around 30 hl/ha. Although the red wines have top billing here, the rosé is also noteworthy for the fact that it is a vin de pressurage – in other words, it is made from a direct pressing of the red grapes, unlike most rosés made from the “saignée” method, which is a by-product of the red winemaking process.
We are proud to have the wines of Domaine d'Archimbaud on our list and, several years down the line from their first vintage, there is no let-up in the quality, finesse and enjoyment in these terroir-laden wines. And, as I write (in 2010) that 2001 Robe du Poupre is still evolving and drinking beautifully!
Domaine d'Archimbaud Tradition 2008 - Coteaux du Languedoc Saint-Saturnin
Archimbaud Tradition 2008 table
Vintage
2008
Region
Saint-Saturnin, some way north-west of Montpellier
Colour/Style
Dry red - medium to full bodied, aged in cuve
Grapes
50% Syrah,
40% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)
13.0%
Food
Grilled or roasted red meats, game
Next day
Still fine
Drink
Over the next 5 to 8 years
This wine shows a bright, young ruby/blood red colour and a nose heavy with the scents of sweet briary fruits, red cherries, tar and the almost ubiquitous garrigue herbs. It has an intensity and purity which every Languedoc red wine should aspire to - and the palate certainly lives up to the promise of the nose. Whilst rich in fruit, it also possesses a savoury, tangy, sweet and sour quality which coats the mouth and persists for a long time. The rich, robust, warming flavours of the Grenache combine beautifully with the elegance of the Syrah, whilst a small percentage of Mourvedre and Carignan adds even more interest. It is a complex wine for the money. And whilst there is ample tannin and acidity, the fruit wins hands down, because it is just so drinkable now. Having said that, it is without doubt a wine that will keep getting better for a good few years yet - 3 to 5, at the very least, and perhaps even more.
Price:
£10.99
(Including: VAT at 20%)
Quantity:
Domaine d'Archimbaud l'Enfant Terrible 2008 - Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac
Domaine d'Archimbaud l'Enfant Terrible 2008 table
Vintage
2008
Region
Saint-Saturnin, some way north-west of Montpellier
Colour/Style
Dry red - medium to full bodied, aged in cuve
Grapes
60
% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 20% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)
13.0%
Food
Grilled or roasted red meats, spicy sausages, rich stews
Next day
Better still
Drink
Over the next 5 to 8 years
The colour is a bright, youthful, quite deep ruby red with a wide rim. The nose greets you with a huge waft of tar, woodsmoke and polished leather, with a veritable pot pourri of herbs and spices, almost like incense. It isn't oak-aged, but it smells creamy. It has bags of fruit, too - dark, brambly fruit, plums and black cherries. Like the nose, the palate is spicy, herby and tarry, with ripe tannins and just the right amount of acidity to give it a fruity, sweet and sour tanginess. It is quite rich, persistent and nicely warming. As this is such a young wine, it is even better on day 2, developing more herby and spicy notes, with hints of flowers, earth and red meats. A real cracker of a wine, from one of my favourite growers.
Price:
£13.80
(Including: VAT at 20%)
Quantity:
Domaine d'Archimbaud Robe du Pourpre 2007 - Coteaux du Languedoc Saint-Saturnin
Archimbaud Robe du Pourpre 2007 table
Vintage
2007
Region
Saint-Saturnin, some way north-west of Montpellier
Colour/Style
Dry red - medium bodied, aged in barrel for 11 months
Grapes
50% Syrah,
30% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)
13.0%
Food
Grilled or roasted red meats, game, charcuterie
Next day
Even better
Drink
Now, or over the next 5 to 10 years
A deep-ish purple core, fading gently to a ruby rim - a very youthful, bright colour. Bramble and red cherry aromas abound, with subtle nuances of orange peel and even a faint (but intriguing) whiff of apple. Notes of garrigue, roasted meat, tobacco and eau de vie complete the package. In the mouth, it is rich and mouth-filling and full of gorgeously fresh red and black fruit flavours that linger on the tongue for some considerable time. A touch of the savoury, combined with velvety tannins and juicy acidity lends the wine a certain sweet and sour quality. The finish is fresh and balanced and the length is very impressive. Saint-Saturnin is a relatively cool and elevated area of Languedoc and the grapes always ripen a week or two later than in most of the low-lying areas, making for fresh, balanced wines with slightly lower alcohol levels. I have tasted (and sold) several vintages of this wine and I think this is the best yet - better even than the superb 2001. And although it is already soft and delicious, it certainly has the structure to age beautifully over the next 5 to 10 years. A brilliant wine, from a very underrated grower and appellation.
Price:
£14.80
(Including: VAT at 20%)
Quantity:
Domaine d'Archimbaud Vendanges d'Automne 2007 Vin de Table de France
Domaine d'Archimbaud Vendanges d'Automne 2007 table
Vintage
2007
Region
Saint-Saturnin de Lucian, Terrasses du Larzac
Colour/Style
Sweet white dessert - full bodied. Late harvested.
Grapes
100% Bourboulenc
Alcohol (a.b.v)
14.0%
Food
Sweet puddings, fruit, soft cheese, foie gras
Next day
How about next month?! Lasts for weeks in the fridge
Drink
Great now, but will improve and evolve for 5 to 10 years
The label says "Mout de raisins partiellement fermenté - Issue de raisins passerillés". Which basically means a wine from grapes harvested very late in the season (and therefore partially raisined on the vine). There is no AOC for such wines in Languedoc, hence the simple Vin de Table denomination. No vintage is allowed on the label, but this is from the 2007 vintage. It is fashioned from 100% Bourboulenc, a grape also occasionally known as Malvoisie. This wine is a rich, shiny 24-carat gold colour with orange tinges. The nose is sublime, offering captivating aromas of bonfire toffee, candied orange peel, marzipan, fig, honeysuckle and rose, whilst the palate is simply bursting with flavours of autumn fruits, preserved citrus, root ginger and toffee. It caresses the tongue with intensely concentrated fruit, before unleashing a rasp of limey acidity that makes the tongue tingle. The finish is immense, lasting for literally minutes, whilst revealing hitherto unnoticed flavours of toffee apple, lemon sorbet, clove and cinnamon, not to mention just about every exotic fruit nuance you could care to mention. Although this wine is really lovely when first opened, it gets better and better after literally a week or two, as the underlying acidity begins to eat away at, and integrate with, the inherent sweetness. So don't judge it on first impression - take as long as you possibly can to finish the bottle - if you can resist - and you will be richly rewarded. A lovely, lovely wine.
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