Leon Stolarski Fine Wines Languedoc Red Wine

Vintage	2008
Region	Corbières
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium bodied
Grapes	80% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.5%
Food	Red meats, pizza, cheeses, or even on its own.
Next day	Still good
Drink	Lovely now, or keep for 2 tor 3 years
Opaque purple/blood red core, with a narrow ruby rim. Bramble, cherry and plum skin aromas, with notes of savoury, tar and undergrowth. The palate is rich and full of bramble and black cherry fruit flavours, and nicely savoury/meaty, with gentle spices thrown in for good measure. Rich, chocolatey tannins, allied to those soft fruits and excellent acidity make for a juicy, sweet-and-sour style of wine. It isn't complex, but it is a really delicious wine, which is both food-friendly and nice to drink on its own. Yummy!

Price: £8.75 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine du Grand Cres La Cadela 2006 Corbières
Domaine du Grand Cres La Cadela 2006 table

Vintage	2006
Region	Corbieres - between Limoux and Narbonne
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium/full bodied. Aged in vat
Grapes	70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Grilled/roasted red meats, stews, sausages, cheese
Next day	Drink the same night, to enjoy the fresh fruit flavours
Drink	Now, or over the next 3 to 5 years
A bright, medium-deep ruby red colour, with an expressive nose of plum skin, cherry and raspberry, a hint of tar and woodsmoke, and pronounced herby aromas (notably thyme and rosemary). The palate is beautifully fresh and fruity, with bags of red and black fruit flavours, soft spices and herbs, supple tannins and a refreshing streak of orange-tinged acidity. From one of the best growers in Corbières, this really is an attractive, elegant wine, which is lovely to drink now - but there's no hurry.

Price: £9.95 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Minervois & La Liviniere

A.O.C Minervois & Minervois La Liviniere

Of all the more established A.O.C's in the Languedoc (created in 1985) Minervois is arguably the one that has made the greatest progress in establishing a reputation for fine wines. Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault are the traditional varieties, but Syrah is now much more predominant, with Mourvedre also used occasionally. Though the Minervois possesses a variety of different landscapes and "terroirs", with subtle differences in style, the best wines are always elegant and well-balanced, characterised by soft berry fruit flavours, liquorice and violets. The Minervois La Liviniere "cru" is a more recent creation that requires (broadly speaking) lower yields, more selective (usually higher) vineyard sites, greater emphasis on Syrah and longer ageing (often in barrel).
Jancis Robinson wrote in Wine Spectator – November 1996......
"Perhaps the single most exciting wine development I've witnessed this decade has been the transformation of the Languedoc from biggest (boo) to hottest (hooray) wine region in the world… for seriously exciting, terroir-laden, characterful, supple wines (mainly but by no means exclusively red)....."

Domaine La Combe Blanche La Vigne de l'Homme 2006 - Minervois
Domaine La Combe Blanche La Vigne de l'Homme 2006 table

Vintage	2006
Region	Minervois, north-east of Carcassonne
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium bodied.
Grapes	Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Red meats, spicy sausages, spag bol, cassoulet
Next day	Keeps well for a day
Drink	Now, or over the next 2 or 3 years
A bright ruby/blood red colour, with a mix of primary and secondary fruit aromas (wild strawberry, raspberry, cherry), garrigue herbs and hints of polished wood and sous-bois. The palate shows sweet and sour red and black fruit flavours, spice and liquorice, with firm tannins and a nice lick of acidity. This is a robust, earthy wine, with plenty of tannic structure, which softens-out nicely after an hour in the decanter, but needs food to show its best - a hearty winter stew or cassoulet would do very nicely!

Price: £7.40 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine La Combe Blanche Calamiac Terroir 2005 - Minervois
Domaine_La_Combe_Blanche_Minervois_2005_table

Vintage	2005
Region	Minervois, north-east of Carcassonne
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium/full bodied
Grapes	Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Red meats, game, cheeses, or even on its own.
Next day	Still good
Drink	Drinking now, or keep for 5 years or more
A lovely nose of plum and bramble, with herby garrigue flavours. The palate has sweet, succulent fruit flavours, a hint of chocolate and a touch of spice, with nicely rustic tannins and juicy acidity. Notes of liquorice and tar develop later. Grippy and fairly full-bodied, but hugely fruity and well-structured, and with a few years of bottle age, it is just about perfect to drink now.

Price: £8.65 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine La Combe Blanche La Galine 2001 - Minervois La Liviniere
Domaine La Combe Blanche La Galine 2001 table

Vintage	2001
Region	Minervois La Liviniere, north-east of Carcassonne
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium/full bodied. 18 months in oak
Grapes	40% Syrah, plus Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.5%
Food	Duck, game, steak, lamb, chicken
Next day	Still really good
Drink	Perfect to drink now, but no there's no hurry
Quite a mature colour, blood red at the core, with a wide, semi-transluscent ruby/amber rim. The nose has bramble, wild strawberry and orange peel, married to classy cigar box/polished wood aromas, not to mention garrigue herbs, cinnamon, cloves and eau de vie - imagine, if you will, a box of mixed fruits, herbs and exotic spices, left to infuse inside an old wardrobe(!) The palate is equally complex - rich and brambly, but imbued with a softness and lightness of touch borne of 9 years of maturity. It has all manner of crystallised fruit flavours, tea, orange, lovely acidity, fine tannins and a long, warm finish. Not that all those aged aromas and flavours mean that this is over the hill. Far from it - 2001 was one of the greatest Languedoc vintages in recent memory, and a wine as good as this certainly has the structure to go on for a number of years yet. It is just lovely, and reminds me yet again why Guy Vanlancker and his wines were such an inspiration for Leon Stolarski Fine WInes. Fabulous.

Price: £11.20 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine La Combe Blanche La Chandeliere 2004 - Minervois La Liviniere
Domaine La Combe Blanche La Chandeliere 2004 table

Vintage	2004
Region	Minervois La Liviniere, north-east of Carcassonne
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied. 18 months in oak barrels
Grapes	75% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 10% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Fillet steak, roast beef or lamb, game
Next day	Still improving
Drink	Starting to drink now, will evolve over next 5 to 10 years
A lovely, deep, blood red core, with a tiny ruby/pink rim. The nose offers aromas of rich black fruits, herbs, spices and Christmas cake, with subtle notes of cedar and leather. After some time in the glass, some attractive undergrowth aromas begin to appear. The palate is packed full of rich, sweet, spicy bramble fruit flavours, earthy but soft tannins and dark chocolate, and is given extra lift by a note of bitter cherry kernel. A backbone of very decent, ever-so-slightly-volatile acidity and a long, tangy, warm finish complete the package. Another really super La Chandeliere - top notch Minervois, with a nod towards Gigondas. Tasting note by The Wine Gang - April 2010 "This Syrah-dominated blend spends 18 months in oak, and a sweet creaminess dominates the nose as the oak melds with lusciously ripe berry fruit, spice and a touch of tobacco. On the palate it is smooth and fruity, but there is an underpinning structure with spicy, grippy tannins and a warm earthiness. The fruit stays sweet in a modern-styled but lovely Minervois red. 90/100"

Price: £14.20 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Saint-Chinian

A.O.C Saint-Chinian

Situated some way to the north-west of Béziers, on the fringes of the Haut Languedoc mountains, the vineyards of Saint-Chinian produce wines of great elegance and structure. Syrah, Grenache and Carignan are the main varieties used. These beautiful wines are characterised by soft berry fruits, infused with the scents and flavours of the hillside “garrigue” – typically violets, herbs and black olives. Chateau La Dournie is situated on the outskirts of the town of Saint-Chinian, with a large house and courtyard, set amongst the vineyards. The Guide Hachette describes the wines thus; "Continuity is assured with this sixth generation taking the reins at La Dournie, with these magnificent cuvées, by way of confirmation." The wines are distinctly refreshing, yet complex, and seem to conjure up that mysterious word "terroir", with a distinct regional style that could hardly be from anywhere else in the world.

Chateau Etienne La Dournie 2006 - Saint-Chinian
Etienne La Dournie 2006 table

Vintage	2006
Region	Saint-Chinian, north-west of Béziers
Colour/Style	Dry red, aged for 10 months in oak barrels
Grapes	50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Roast red meats, vegetable and pasta dishes, game
Next day	Still fresh the next day
Drink	Over the next 5 to 8 years
Deep-ish, semi-opaque blood red colour with a narrow rim. As always, the nose is dominated by classic Saint-Chinian aromas of bramble, blackcurrants and raspberries galore, accompanied by violets and lilies, cigar box, brioche and intense herby, spicy notes - it really is packed with character. And the palate is just as intense and crammed full of those wonderful, minerally, fruity, herby, floral, black olive flavours of schiste-grown Syrah. Spicy, rich and warming, this wine simply oozes character and class, providing an effortless combination of restrained power and elegance. The wines from this estate just get better and better. A glorious wine, which is drinking beautifully already, but is sure to age gracefully for at least 5 years. And don't be put off by the fact that it was awarded a Gold medal at the 2009 Paris Show! Now sold out - a new vintage will arrive later in 2011.

Price: £11.99 (Including: VAT at 20%)

Chateau La Dournie Elise 2007 - Saint-Chinian
Chateau La Dournie Elise 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Saint-Chinian, north-west of Béziers
Colour/Style	Dry red, partly aged in new oak barrels, the rest in vat
Grapes	80% Syrah, 20% Grenache (50 year old vines)
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.5%
Food	Venison, roast beef, lamb, pork, cheese
Next day	Lovely
Drink	Over the next 5 to 10 years
A deep, blackberry-coloured core with a tiny carmine rim. The nose is incredibly fragrant and considerably complex. It has fresh plums, bramble and black cherry, along with more of that hallmark Saint-Chinian terroir - garrigue herbs, violets, black olives and a strong mineral influence from the schistous soils on which it is grown. Hints of tobacco, leather and brioche add even more interest. The palate is concentrated and balanced, with rich, spicy (but not too sweet) bramble and cherry fruit wrapped in a blanket of fine, silky tannins and mouth-watering acidity and a long, spicy finish. Those ultra-fine tannins make for a wine that is already a joy to drink, but this is another beautifully structured wine from Chateau La Dournie, with a great future. A conservative estimate would be 5 to 8 years before maturity and a 10 to 15 year life span. Another stunning wine from this, on of (if not the) greatest estates in the appelation. Awarded 2 stars in the Guide Hachette des Vins 2010.

Price: £14.50 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine St Martin d'Agel 2008 Faugères
Domaine St Martin d'Agel Faugeres 2008 table

Vintage	2008
Region	Faugeres
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium bodied
Grapes	55% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.5%
Food	Red or white meats, rich stews, cheese
Next day	As good
Drink	Over the next 2 or 3 years
Medium raspberry/purple colour. The aromas are beautifully fresh and vibrant, suggesting bramble, blackcurrant, plum and orange, with background notes of cinnamon and oregano. The palate is similarly fresh and juicy, crammed full of fresh and crystallised bramble fruits, a touch of black cherry, creamy vanilla and a delightfully fresh, orangey acidity. The tannins are beautifully soft and velvety and there is just a hint of spiciness to the finish. This is a really nice wine, and a fine introduction to the wines of the Faugères appellation. It isn't serious, but it is seriously soft, refreshing, food-friendly and more-ish.

Price: £8.99 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de Cébène Les Bancèls 2008 Faugères
Domaine de Cebene Les Bancels 2008 table

Vintage	2008
Region	Faugeres
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium/full bodied
Grapes	Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Red meats, game, mushroom risotto
Next day	Wow! - even better
Drink	Can be drunk now, but will age nicely for 5 to 8 years
Youthful purple in colour, leading to a small ruby rim. Fresh and crystallised fruits abound on the nose, with notes of polished leather and herbs (notably rosemary and oregano) and a whiff of eau de vie. The palate offers flavours of raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant, with herby, savoury, almost animal nuances. After a few hours, this wine really opens-up, revealing extra layers of fruit, redolent of blackberries and dates. It is actually more akin to a really elegant Châteauneuf than a Faugeres, but is nevertheless a seriously good wine. It possesses good underlying acidity, fine tannins and a touch of southern warmth on the finish. The following day, it is even better. Amazingly, I discovered a little left in the bottle almost a week after I had opened it and (curious to know how it had fared) I tasted it. What I discovered was a glorious mélange of cedar, kirsch, polished wood and bramble, with immense concentration - a rich, deep, long and complex wine. Which leads me to believe that (although delicious now) this will age spectacularly well over the next 5 to 8 years - possibly even more. Tasting note by The Wine Gang - April 2010 "This blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache has a bold, blood-streaked nose that misses a little of the lift and fragrance of its 'big brother', the 94-point Felagria, but is attractively deep. The fruit quality is beautifully clear and focused on the palate, the sweet cherry and blackcurrant wrapped in lithe tannins, and the balance good into a spicy, chocolaty finish. Another very fine effort. 92/100"

Price: £14.75 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de Cébène Les Bancèls 2009 Faugères

Vintage	2009
Region	Faugeres
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium/full bodied
Grapes	Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Red meats, game, mushroom risotto
Next day	Even better - improves for days
Drink	Can be drunk now, but will age nicely for 5 to 8 years
The aromas in this wine fairly leap out of the glass, which is sitting a foot away from me as I write, and I can still smell the glorious perfume of bramble, raspberry and redcurrant steeped in eau de vie, with notes of oregano and cinnamon, leather and polished wood. It is indeed a rare wine that can do that. The palate is truly expressive, with warming spice and savoury/herby flavours mingling with red and black fruits, fine tannins and excellent acidity. The result is a wine of enormous complexity, combining fruit, savoury, sweet and sour in a rich, even powerful, yet deceptively elegant, feminine wine. A fabulous wine, with great potential for development. Tasting note by Tim Atkin - November 2010 "Brigitte Chevalier used to work in Bordeaux for Jean-Luc Thunevin, and she’s made the leap from sales to winemaking look easy. Her wines are all excellent, made from low-yielding vines. This is polished yet appealingly wild, with the 50% Mourvèdre adding a savoury depth. The tannins are supple and very fine, with refreshing acidity lifting the flavours of wild herbs, raspberry and plum. A domaine to watch. 94/100"

Price: £14.75 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de Cébène Felgaria 2009 Faugères
Domaine de Cebene Felgaria 2009 table

Vintage	2009
Region	Faugeres
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium/full bodied
Grapes	50% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Red meats game, mushroom risotto
Next day	Again, even better after 2 or 3 days
Drink	Can be drunk now, but will age nicely for 10+ years
This is Brigitte Chevalier's top cuvée - and it is a stunner. Deep, dark (almost opaque), brooding and even more serious than Les Bancels. Bramble and blackcurrant aromas mingle with black cherry and seville orange. Once again, this is laden with herbs and exotic spices, meat and and an enticing hint of volatile acidity. There's a strong schiste/mineral streak as well, together with classy cedar/cigar box and an amazing freshness and vitality (again, even after several days) - another astonishingly complex wine. The palate is rich, deeply flavoured and beautifully extracted, without sacrificing its inherent freshness. The flavours are complex and full of fruit, with supple tannins and fresh, almost lemony acidity. The finish is spicy, zesty and very long. This is a glorious bottle of wine. It isn't cheap, but Faugères does not get any better than this - in fact, Languedoc wine doesn't get any better.

Price: £22.25 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Costieres de Nimes

A large, low-lying plateau, situated between the city of Nîmes and the west bank of the Rhône. Just to the south lies the Carmargue and the Mediterranean, and the climate is therefore extremely pleasant (except for when it is just too hot, or when the cold, dry Mistral decides to blow)! The large stones or "galets roulés", which are a feature of the soil in this region, were washed down the Rhône valley from the Alps in prehistoric times, and the terroir is therefore very similar to Chateauneuf du Pape (a little further up the valley). These stones reflect the heat of the sun during the day yet retain the warmth during the night, providing excellent ripening conditions. Being wedged between the vineyards of the Rhône to the north and east, and the Coteaux du Languedoc to the west, the wines of Costieres de Nimes lie not only geographically, but also stylistically somewhere between the two. Syrah and Grenache are the mainstays, with Mourvedre also becoming more popular. The wines of Costieres de Nîmes are very underrated, and certainly deserve to be better known.

Domaine de Calet Cuvée Long Terme 2008 Costières de Nimes
Domaine de Calet Long Terme 2008

Vintage	2008
Region	Costieres de Nimes, near the Petite Camargue
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to-full bodied.
Grapes	75% Syrah and 25% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.5%
Food	Grilled meats, stews, game, cheese
Next day	Even better
Drink	Now, or over the next 3 to 5 years
20% of the blend spends time in 2 year-old oak barrels. The nose is lovely - very perfumed and clearly dominated by Syrah. In fact, there's even a hint of the Northern Rhône about it, with flowers, spice and savoury making for a wine of surprising complextity. And the palate certainly lives up to its promise, with a hint of oak influence, but dominated by rich, expressive, spicy fruit, whilst remaining very elegant. If only most Côtes du Rhône was half as good. A really lovely wine!

Price: £9.95 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de Calet Cuvée Grand Mas 2007 Costières de Nimes
Domaine de Calet Grand Mas 2007

Vintage	2007
Region	Costieres de Nimes, near the Petite Camargue
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to-full bodied.
Grapes	85% Syrah and 15% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.5%
Food	Grilled meats, stews, game, cheese
Next day	Even better
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 8 years
Again, part of the blend spends time in oak barrels. A complex array of aromas, with bramble and casssis, raisins steeped in eau de vie, polished old wood and forest floor. It manages to be at the same time spicy (cinnamon and clove), citrussy (some lovely orange peel notes) and savoury, with some enticing tobacco and cedar notes lurking in the background. The palate is still relatively primary, but all the components are beginning to knit together nicely, with an abundance of rich, brambly fruit, a touch of bitter cherry kernel and spice, fine, grippy tannins and a streak of citrussy acidity. All of which makes for a beautifully balanced wine, with a gently warming touch of eau de vie and spice on the finish.

Price: £11.30 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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AOC Languedoc

A.O.C Coteaux du Languedoc

The AOC Languedoc appellation was introduced in 2007, as a replacement for Coteaux du Languedoc. Presumably, this was in an attempt to make the rather complicated hierarchy of AOC's in this huge wine region easier for consumers to understand. Admittedly, the old system probably was a little confusing for the uninitiated, though simple enough, once you got your head around it. Frankly, though, I'm not sure an awful lot has changed - and it certainly won't be any easier for people who didn't understand the old system! Basically, AOC Languedoc covers the parts of Languedoc and - even more confusingly - Roussillon that do not have the benefit of their own distinctive local AOC (Saint-Chinian, Faugeres, Minervois, for instance). Within the AOC Languedoc, there are various sub-regional AOC's (namely Grès de Montpellier, Pézénas, Sommières, La Clape, Pic Saint-Loup, Terrasses du Larzac, Picpoul de Pinet, Terrasses de Béziers, Montpeyroux and Saint-Georges d’Orques) whose names can be appended to the Languedoc AOC. The confusion doesn't end there, though. For instance, the Saint Georges d'Orques AOC actually lies within the Grès de Montpellier region, whilst Saint Saturnin (which doesn't seem to get a mention in the new rules) is very definitely a recognised sub-regional AOC falling within the Terrasses du Larzac - a sub-reion of a sub-region, if you like. Confused? I'm not surprised, as I am now a little confused myself!.

Not that we want to get too caught up in the regional hierarchy, or pyramid, but the wines from these sub-regions - or "terroirs", as they used to be called - can (and very often do) offer-up some very distinct regional characteristics. Which certainly gives some credence to the way they are designated - even if the new system only serves to confuse matters even more! And there are many styles of wine being made, depending on the terroir and the choice of grape varieties. The main grapes for the red wines are Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault, with Mourvedre also becoming more predominant. And as well as many wonderful independent growers, this is an area blessed with a good number of top-quality co-operatves, notably Les Vignerons de La Carignano in Gabian and the fantastic Coteaux de Neffies. We have tasted wines from Neffies over many years, and the standard is extremely high. We also have some lovely wines from Domaine d'Archimbaud in Saint-Saturnin, one of the most northerly villages in the Languedoc region, producing "cool climate" wines of great complexity and elegance. Whilst very approachable when young, they have the structure to age and improve for several years. Domaine Monplezy, situated just to the north of Pézenas also makes some delicious wines - and they are organic. The most recent additions to our list are some brilliant Pic Saint-Loup wines Mas Foulaquier, a small domaine situated in the north of the appellation, plus a range of equally brilliant wines from Domaine de La Marfée, another top quality small grower, situated just to the west of Montpellier. What is more, both of these growers are biodynamic.

Along with the better known (or at least better understood) appellations of Languedoc - such as the afore-mentioned Saint-Chinian, Faugeres, Minervois, et al - AOC Languedoc, in all its various guises - is now producing some of the best wines in southern France (and, in our opinion, the world). Try some - you won't be disappointed.

Chateau Saint Ferréol 2006 - Coteaux du Languedoc
Domaine Saint Ferreol Red 2006

Vintage	2006
Region	Vin de Pays d'Oc - north of Pézenas
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium/full bodied, aged in oak for 2 years
Grapes	A blend of Syrah and Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Fish, chicken, pork, soft cheese, fruit, or on its own
Next day	Better still
Drink	Good now, but will evolve nicely for another 5+ years
A shiny, bright, blood-red core, fading gently to a ruby rim. The nose offers intense aromas of bramble and blackcurrant, with subtle hints of white fruits and soft citrus. Not to mention a tremendous array of secondary notes including forest floor, iodine, leather and cedar/cigar box, courtesy of 2 years ageing in French and American oak barrels. On the palate, the fruit is both ripe and tangy, with high-toned red cherry and bramble flavours combining with intensely mouth-watering acidity and slightly dusty tannins. I first tasted this wine a year or two ago, at which point I found it a bit disjointed, but it is slowly-but-surely beginning to knit together. The heightened acidity is beginning to soften a little, as are the tannins, whilst there is still an abundance of fruit, with an initial hint of sweetness dissipating with time in the glass, allowing those secondary notes to come to the fore. And with those 2 years spent in barrel the effect is really quite subtle and brilliantly judged. A wine to enjoy now, or to cellear for another 5 years or so.

Price: £10.99 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Mas Foulaquier Les Tonillieres 2008 Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup
Mas Foulaquier Les Tonillieres 2008 table

Vintage	2008
Region	Pic Saint-Loup, north-east of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to-full bodied, aged in vat. Biodynamic.
Grapes	50% old vine Carignan, 50% Syrah.
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Red and white meats seasoned with herbs, pasta dishes
Next day	Even better - really benefits from a night in the fridge
Drink	Now, or over the next 3 to 5 years
Semi-transluscent, medium purple red, fading gently to a pink rim. Aromas of cherries and raspberries leap from the glass, with background notes of violets, aromatic herbs and liquorice. After some exposure to the air, it develops subtle notes of peppermint, polished leather and eau de vie. Delve a little further and you might even detect hints of apple and iodine. It really is quite complex stuff! The palate takes a few minutes to open out, before revealing flavours of raspberry and redcurrant, a streak of earthy minerality and firm but fine tannins. There is a distinct herbiness and tanginess to this wine, which makes it a great match for dishes seasoned with herbs and maybe even soft spices. And the fruit has hidden depths, becoming denser and more full-bodied after a few hours. The secret is to give it a vigorous double-decant, a good 2 or 3 hours before drinking, because it really does make all the difference. It is a very pure, elegant wine, and should develop and soften beautifully after another year or two in bottle. Certified biodynamic by AB and Demeter.

Price: £12.79 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Mas Foulaquier l'Orfée 2008 Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup
Mas Foulaquier l'Orphée 2008 table

Vintage	2008
Region	Pic Saint-Loup, north-east of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to full bodied
Grapes	50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.5%
Food	Red and white meats, mediterranean vegetable dishes
Next day	Perhaps even better
Drink	Now, or over the next 3 to 5 years
Semi-translucsent purple colour, fading to a bright ruby/purple rim. The nose has floral scents (hints of violet and lily), mingled with crystallised bramble fruits, tar and eau de vie, with plenty of garrigue and savoury/meaty nuances. I would swear that there were also some mahogany/woody notes, but this wine is very definitely not oak-aged. The palate is rich, with the raisined fruit quality of the Grenache complemented by the high-toned bramble and blackcurrant of the Syrah. The tannins are firm but fine and there is tangy acidity to spare, in another beautifully balanced wine. This is lovely now, but will be fantastic in 3 to 5 years. Certified biodynamic by AB and Demeter.

Price: £13.99 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Mas Foulaquier Les Calades 2006 Coteaux du Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup
Mas Foulaquier Les Calades 2006 table

Vintage	2006
Region	Pic Saint-Loup, north-east of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied, partly aged in barrel. Biodynamic
Grapes	60% Syrah, 40% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.5%
Food	Red meats, spicy Asian food, Mediterranean dishes
Next day	Even better
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 8 years
A young-looking deep purple/red core, leading to a narrow carmine rim. The nose is a heady mix of red and black fruits steeped in eau de vie, with all manner of exotic spice and garrigue herb notes. Despite being aged for 24 months (half in concrete vats, half in barrels and demi-muids of between 3 and 10 years old) the oak hardly gets a look in, with merely a hint of polished wood mingled in with the complex fruit aromas. The palate is awash with bramble and redcurrants and even a hint of seville orange, giving the wine a distinct tanginess. There is plenty of spicy, tannic grip, but the fruit is so lush and the acidity so mouth-watering that you almost don't notice - it really is a wonderfully balanced, complex wine, combining power with considerable elegance. And if ever a wine wore its 14.5% abv so beautifully, this is it - Chateauneuf-du-Pape, eat your heart out! A compelling and utterly brilliant wine. Biodynamic - awaiting AB certification.

Price: £16.30 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Mas Foulaquier Gran' Tonillieres 2006 Coteaux du Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup
Mas Foulaquier Gran' Tonillieres 2006 table

Vintage	2006
Region	Pic Saint-Loup, north-east of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied
Grapes	50% Grenache and 50% Carignan, all over 50 years old
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Red meats, game, duck, sweetly spicy dishes
Next day	Still very good
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 10 years
Aged for 24 months (half in concrete vats, half in barrels and demi-muids of between 3 and 10 years old). A deep purple/black colour, with a narrow carmine rim. Intense and amazingly pure blackcurrant and bramble aromas mingle with garrigue herbs, clove and cedarwood, along with some quite meaty/savoury notes and an interesting hint of iodine (always a good descriptor in my book, by the way). The palate is packed with red and black fruits, herbs, allspice and dark chocolate, with firm but fine tannins and ample acidity. This is undoubtedly the finest and most complex cuvée in the Foulaquier range. The combination of fruit from 50 year-old vines and ageing in (mostly older) oak barrels all contribute to a wine with a magnificent structure. So, athough it is very approachable now, I would not be surprised to see it age and improve for another decade. An absolutely delicious wine. Biodynamic - awaiting AB certification.

Price: £18.89 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Mas Foulaquier Gran' Tonillieres 2007 Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup
Mas Foulaquier Gran' Tonillieres 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Pic Saint-Loup, north-east of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied
Grapes	50% Grenache and 50% Carignan, all over 50 years old
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.5%
Food	Red meats, game, duck, sweetly spicy dishes
Next day	Still very good and opening-up
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 8 years
Aged for 24 months (half in concrete vats, half in barrels and demi-muids of between 3 and 10 years old). Rich and explosive - a riot of blackcurrant pastille, bramble and tar. As you would expect, this is very similar in style and structure to the 2006 above. At the moment, I marginally prefer the 2006, if only because it has the benefit of an extra year in bottle and is marginally softer and more approachable. But make no mistake, this is also a seriously good and seriously ageworthy wine, which may, in time, outshine the 2006. Biodynamic - awaiting AB certification.

Price: £18.89 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine d'Archimbaud Tradition 2008 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%)

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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%)

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Domaine d'Archimbaud Robe du Pourpre 2007 - 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%)

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Domaine de La Marfée Les Gamines 2007 Languedoc Saint Georges d'Orques
Domaine de La Marfee Les Gamines 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Saint Georges d'Orques, west of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied, aged 2 years in barrel. Biodynamic.
Grapes	50% Syrah, 40% Mourvedre and 10% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Mediterranean vegetable dishes, chicken, pizza
Next day	Almost as good
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 8 years
Semi-opaque purple/red colour, fading to a narrow ruby rim. The nose gives off notes of black and red fruits, notably blackcurrants and cherries steeped in eau de vie and infused with garrigue herbs. There are also some enticing woody aromas, reminiscent of polished mahogany, with background notes of tobacco, cocoa and allspice. The palate entry is all about those wonderful blackcurrant and cherry flavours, which coat the mouth before the fine-grained tannins kick in, countered by a healthy lick of acidity. The herby and spicy notes, combined with the lush fruit flavours and a hint of dark chocolate give this wine a certain sweet and sour quality. And that whiff of eau de vie on the nose is obviously a sign of complexity, because the finish is elegant, fruity and spicy, rather than warm and alcoholic, with nary a hint of rusticity. In fact, this is a very fine, complex, captivating wine - and it can only get better!

Price: £13.79 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de La Marfée Della Francesca 2007 Languedoc Saint Georges d'Orques
Domaine de La Marfee Della Francesca 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Saint Georges d'Orques, west of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to-full bodied
Grapes	85% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Red meats, stews, game, duck
Next day	Not yet tested
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 8 years
Semi-transluscent mid-purple colour with a narrow rim. This again has the trademark Marfée nose of blackcurrant leaf and fruit pastille, with hints of elderflower, polished wood and spice. Subtle hints of mint, violets and eau de vie make for another complex and very lovely wine. The palate is of medium weight with wonderful freshness, with lemony acidity and tangy, sweet-sour fruit flavours. The tannins are grippy, but fine-grained. There are some interesting herby/spicy notes on the finish, which is long and mouth-watering. Although lovely to drink already, this is a wine that promises to get better and better over the next 5 to 8 years.

Price: £18.35 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de La Marfée Les Champs Murmurés 2007 Languedoc Saint Georges d'Orques
Domaine de La Marfee Les Champs Murmures 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Saint Georges d'Orques, west of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to-full bodied
Grapes	Syrah and Mourvedre from very old vines
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Rib of beef, rich stews, game
Next day	Not yet tested
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 10 years
Deep purple at the core, with a narrow ruby rim. This wine has a truly compelling nose, with dark fruits galore, mixed with herbs and spices, tobacco and polished wood. This is probably the most backward of all the Marfée reds, but may also be the most complex and complete. It is so tightly-knit and "together", with dark fruits, herbs and spices combining beautifully into a fruity, savoury whole. It is perhaps a touch closed, when compared to Les Vignes Qu'On Abat, but oh-so complex. Like the other wines in the Marfée range, it is medium-to-full, rather than being a heavyweight and - even at this early stage in its development - there is a good deal of elegance. This wine is going to age beautifully, over many years. A stunner of a wine.

Price: £24.50 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Vins de Pays

There was a time when any French wine with aspirations to quality needed to conform to the strict (and these days increasingly outmoded) wine laws of the "Appellation d'Origine Contrôllée" (A.O.C). The most important - not to mention restrictive - factor has always been the pernitted grape varieties. No matter how good a wine is, if it is to qualify as A.O.C, it can only be made from the particular grape variety, or varieties, allowed by that A.O.C. The "Vins de Pays" denomination was created in the early 1970's, to enable wines made from "other" grape varieties to be made, free from the restrictions of the A.O.C, but with a level of quality way above mere "table wine" status. Vin de Pays d'Oc is the best "known" (and covers virtually the whole of Languedoc/Roussillon). Other VDP's may use the départment name (Hérault, Aude, Gard, etc) whilst many better and more innovative (though less well-known) wines are sold under the local VDP, which normally takes the name of a small river, town, other local feature or sub-region. Many of these wines (whether from a single variety or a blend of two or more) can be delicious, complex and, in some cases, truly world-class.

Domaine de La Marfée Les Champs Murmurés 2000 Vin de Pays de l'Hérault
Domaine de La Marfée Les Champs Murmurés 2000 table

Vintage	2000
Region	Saint Georges d'Orques, west of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied
Grapes	Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre from old vines
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Rib of beef, rich stews, game
Next day	Still fine
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 10 years
Although now 10 years old, this wine still looks remarkably young, exhibiting a fairly deep purple/red colour, and showing only slight signs of age on the narrow, raspberry-coloured rim. This wine contains a proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (which the current wines do not) which means that it had to be labelled as a mere Vin de Pays. Nevertheless, as with the current crop of wines, the nose displays that trademark Marfée nose of crystallised red and black fruits, elderflower and blackcurrant leaf. There are also some savoury, earthy notes, mixed with exotic spices, old leather and cigar box. It really does have the whiff of a truly fine wine - in fact, the more you smell it, the more complex it gets. The palate is simply packed full of concentrated, ripe bramble and blackcurrant fruit, with some savoury, herby garrigue notes and grippy but fine, spicy tannins, offset by juicy acidity. The finish is dry, but laced with spicy, tangy, almost sweet and sour orange peel and black cherry flavours - and it is very long, too. The complexity of this wine is something to behold, and although it is lovely to drink now, I feel it has the stuffing (and the fruit) to age for at least another 5 years before it reaches its peak. It really is a fabulous wine, and does nothing to alter my opinion that Domaine de La Marfée is one of the Languedoc's finest estates - albeit still a very well-kept secret. Here is a note from Jamie Goode at The Wine Anorak (2005); "Smoky, slightly roasted nose: savoury, spicy and quite complex. The palate is dense but supple with nice savoury structure and good concentration. Great balance and good acidity. Quite a big wine. 92/100."

Price: £24.00 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de La Marfée Les Champs Murmurés 2001 Vin de Pays de l'Hérault
Domaine de La Marfée Les Champs Murmurés 2001 table

Vintage	2001
Region	Saint Georges d'Orques, west of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to-full bodied
Grapes	Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre from old vines
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.5%
Food	Rib of beef, rich stews, game
Next day	Still fine
Drink	Now, or over the next 5 to 10 years
Like the 2000 (above) this wine shows little sign of age, with the same dense, purple red core and narrow raspberry rim. And like the 2000, it displays that trademark Marfée nose of crystallised red and black fruits, elderflower and blackcurrant leaf, but this time with a hint of red meat, eau de vie and polished wood. If anything, it is even riper and more opulent, again with those beautifully savoury, earthy notes, exotic spice, old leather and cigar box, but with a pungency and sweetness of fruit typical of the classic (i.e. hot) 2001 vintage. It has a half degree more alcohol than the 2000, but the ripeness of the fruit and the spicy yet velvety tannins make it feel very balanced, despite a slightly lower level of acidity. The finish has a sweet and sour edge, with flavours of red cherry, raspberry and warming spice. Slightly more Chateauneuf in style than the full-on Languedoc style of the 2000, but a beautiful wine nevertheless. Oh, and the acidity actually get more pronounced with time in the glass, which only serves to heighten the experience. Another lovely wine, from a very (very) fine winemaker. Here's another note from Jamie Goode at The Wine Anorak (2005); "Lovely perfumed intensity to the nose: ripe, sweet and full, displaying sweet liqueur-like black fruits. The palate is concentrated, full and dense, showing supple, slightly sweet fruit with some smoky, spicy complexity. A big, lovely wine. 93/100."

Price: £24.00 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de La Marfée Les Vignes Qu'On Abat 2007 Vin de Pays de l'Hérault
Domaine de La Marfee Les Vignes Qu'On Abat 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Saint Georges d'Orques, west of Montpellier
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied, aged for 2 years in oak barels
Grapes	100% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Beef, lamb, duck, perhaps even a spicy tagine
Next day	Still going strong
Drink	Now, or over the next 8 to 10 years
Semi-opaque medium-deep purple colour, leading to a very narrow ruby rim. Raspberries and blackcurrants leap from the glass, with myriad other aromas, including strawberries and cream, garrigue herbs and even a hint of elderflower. Although aged in oak for 2 years (mostly older oak, with just a small percentage of new barrels used each year) there is just the merest suggestion of pencil shavings, with no obvious oak aromas - the sign of very skilful winemaking. The palate is medium-rich, with flavours of blackcurrant and cranberry, tar and spice, with hints of garrigue and an almost schiste-like minerality and remarkably ripe, velvety tannins. A touch of sweet fruit returns on the finish, which is spicy and long. This is another really fabulous wine, which is already surprisingly elegant and approachable. Indeed, it is a real testament to the potential of old Carignan vines (in the hands of the right winemaker, of course). Is this the Languedoc's top Carignan? Well, I have yet to taste a better one! Biodynamic.

Price: £24.50 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de Cébene Ex Arena 2007 Vin de Pays d'Oc
Chevalier ExArena 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Vin de Pays d'Oc
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied
Grapes	Grenache and Mourvedre - partly oak-aged
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Roasted red meats, game, cheeses.
Next day	Still good
Drink	Can be drunk now, or aged for up to 10 years
Youthful medium red/ruby colour, leading to a pale-ish rhubarb rim. Promising aromas of red and black fruits, exotic spices and polished leather. The palate is open and expressive - blackcurrant, bramble and black cherry flavours mingle withdark chocolate and spice, wrapped in a cloak of gently warming alcohol and velvety tannins. This is a wine that develops remarkably after 24 hours in the decanter, with deeper aromas and flavours, developing minty, savoury, bloody notes, great balance and with a layer of juicy acidity coming to the fore - changing from a Chateauneuf-a-like to a classic Languedoc Grenache/Mourvedre. Fabulous stuff with a great future. Tasting note by The Wine Gang - September 2009 "The top red from Brigitte Chevalier’s estate - and it’s a big wine. The vines are 25 years old, yields are low and it’s partly barrel-fermented and matured. Its Grenache base gives concentrated herbal sweetness, while the 15% Mourvèdre lends its characteristic gamey-animal savour. No hurry to drink this once you’ve opened the bottle and no hurry to open the bottle. Ex Arena means ‘out of the sand’, as you knew of course. 89/100"

Price: £14.99 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de Cébene Ex Arena 2009 Vin de Pays d'Oc

Vintage	2009
Region	Béziers, Vin de Pays d'Oc
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied
Grapes	Grenache and Mourvedre - partly oak-aged
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Roasted red meats, game, cheeses.
Next day	Improves for 2 or 3 days
Drink	Can be drunk now, or aged for up to 10 years
Grenache and Mourvedre, from sand-based terroir in Corneilhan, just north of Béziers. Lovely aromas of poached raspberry, cherry and redcurrant, with background notes of leather, sandalwood and eau de vie. There are also enticing notes of fresh bread, spices and garrigue - such a complex wine! The palate has layer upon layer of red and black fruit flavours, with hints of soft citrus and peel, and a touch of nicely integrated oak. It has power, but without too much weight or extraction, grippy but fine tannins, and a decent backbone of acidity. It is a really lovely wine, which probably needs 3 to 5 years to show its best - or just a couple of days' air, to help it open-out(!) Very complex, and worthy of contemplation.

Price: £13.99 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine La Combe Blanche Calamiac Terroir Tempranillo 2007 - Vin de Pays des Côtes du Brian
Domaine La Combe Blanche Tempranillo 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Vin de Pays des Côtes du Brian, in the Minervois
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-bodied.
Grapes	100% Tempranillo
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Grilled peppered steak or lamb, duck, game, pasta
Next day	As good
Drink	Now, or over the next 3 to 5 years
Bright, deep purple core, fading to a ruby rim. The nose is pure heaven - cherry, bramble and plum aromas with notes of chocolate and eau de vie. And the palate is absolutely delicious - fresh black and red fruits, like summer pudding in a glass. Although 100% Tempranillo (a very rare grape in Languedoc) there is something almost Chateauneuf-like about this wine. The fresh fruit is countered by a baked fruitcake richness - quite contrary, with a cetain warmth (but not heat) on the finish. Fabulous balance and structure, with fruit, tannin and acidity in perfect harmony. Whilst not particularly complex, this is worthy of contemplation. It may even age nicely, but why wait? It is utterly delicious right now. A lovely wine!

Price: £9.20 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine La Combe Blanche Calamiac Terroir Cinsault 2007 - Vin de Pays des Côtes du Brian
Domaine La Combe Blanche Cinsault 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Vin de Pays des Côtes du Brian, in the Minervois
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-bodied.
Grapes	100% Cinsault
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.5%
Food	A great all-rounder - red/white meats, pizza, pasta, risotto
Next day	As good, as long as you refrigerate it overnight
Drink	Lovely now, or over the next 2 to 3 years
It is very unusual to find a varietal (i.e. 100%) Cinsault, since it is usually considered to be more suitable as a blending component in red (and more often rosé) wines from Languedoc and the southern Rhône. But this one is certainly a worthy example of its kind. It is a quite deep ruby colour, bordering on purple, with a relatively narrow rim. The nose is an uncomplicated riot of brambly fruit, with some spicy, herby notes lurking in the background. And the palate is also packed with bramble and cherry fruit, making for a ripe, generous and very juicy mouthful. Relatively soft tannins and mouth-watering acidity, combined with a dollop of southern warmth and spice, all adds up to a lovely drop - which really hits the spot on a cold winter's evening! Tasting note by The Wine Gang - April 2010 "This Vin de Pays des Côtes du Brian displays an intriguing herb and briar character on the nose, the suggestion of damp woodland playing against modest berry fruit. The palate delivers a similar concoction of the mildly herbaceous flavours with berry fruits and good acidity giving some cut. Unusual and enjoyable. 87/100"

Price: £9.20 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Les Vignes de l'Arque IGP Duché d'Uzès Rouge 2009
Les Vignes de l'Arque Duché d'Uzes 2009

Vintage	2009
Region	Near Uzès, in the Gard
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied. Aged in oak barrels for 4 months
Grapes	Grenache and Syrah
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.8%
Food	White meats, game, grilled steak, cheese
Next day	Even better, developing greater complexity
Drink	Now to 2015
A deep, almost opaque purple colour with the narrowest of rims. The nose on this wine is fabulous - a riot of bramble and plum skin and a hint of blackcurrant, with further notes of orange peel, soft spices, tobacco, oak vanillin and meat/leather. It manages to be both fruit-filled and primary and complex at the same time. The palate is simply dripping with ripe, sun-drenched black and red fruits, complemented by rich, chocolatey tannins and ample acidity. And the 14.8% abv doesn't make it in the slightest bit hot - just rich, ripe, orange-tinged fruit, spice, a touch of savoury and immense concentration. It may need a year or two more in bottle to really get into its stride, but it is gloriously drinkable already (and gets better and better after a day or two in the decanter). This is a brilliant wine, and easily as good as any previous vintage I have tasted - and I'm thrilled to bits to have reacquainted myself with it!

Price: £9.95 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Les Vignes de l'Arque Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 IGP Pays d'Oc
Les Vignes de l'Arque Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Vintage	2009
Region	Near to Uzès, in the Gard
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to-full bodied
Grapes	100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	On its own, or with pizza, most meats and cheeses
Next day	As good, or even better, the next day
Drink	Now, or over the next 2-3 years
Les Vignes de l'Arque have a knack of producing varietal wines with impeccable varietal character - and this one is a prime example. A bright, clear, medium deep ruby red colour, with aromas of ripe plums and blackcurrant leaf, some attractive herbacous and citrus notes and a hint of cedar. The palate is crammed full of red and black fruit flavours, with sweet blackcurrant and tart cranberry, combining beautifully with ripe tannins and juicy acidity, in a deliciously mouth-watering sweet and sour style. What this wine might lack in complexity is more than made up for by its sheer youthful vibrancy and drinkability. Delicious!

Price: £7.99 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Les Vignes de l'Arque Merlot 2009 IGP Pays d'Oc
Les Vignes de l'Arque Merlot 2009

Vintage	2009
Region	Near to Uzès, in the Gard
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium-to-full bodied
Grapes	100% Merlot
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	On its own, or with pizza, most meats and cheeses
Next day	As good, or even better, the next day
Drink	Now, or over the next 2-3 years
A clear, bright, ruby red colour, with a nose of blackcurrant, plum and tobacco, hints of coal tar and orange peel. The palate is mellow and full of fruit - black cherry and cassis - with good acidity and a nice tannic structure. Not too soft, but not too hard. This is a really well-made wine, which will give far more pleasure than either cheap Claret or soupy new-world Merlot. Lovely stuff.

Price: £7.99 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Minimum order value, delivery charges, times and restrictions

We deliver only to UK and Northern Ireland addresses. The minimum order value is £75 (plus the delivery charge). You may of course choose a mix of any wines in our range. Orders between £75 and £200: delivery charge is £7.50. Orders over £200: delivery is free! (If your order is over £200, please remember to change the delivery charge in checkout to £0.00). Please note: Delivery to non-mainland addresses (Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, etc.) is usually possible, but may not be on a next-working-day basis. It is also more expensive than delivery to mainland addresses, so will be charged at cost (for orders under £200) but with a small discount for orders over £200 - please call us for a quote.

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It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol if you are under the age of 18. (Section 149 Licensing Act 2003).We reserve the right to seek proof of age. Leon Stolarski says "drink less, but drink better!" Please consume alcohol in moderation.