On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Languedoc – Pic Saint-Loup in the Spotlight

05 Dec 2024

(MAY 3, 2023) … PIC SAINT-LOUP

This morning I sat in at on the Masterclass about Pic Saint Loup – here are some of the highlights. PIC SL 3

One of the finest Vin de Garde regions of Languedoc. The Legend of the name:  there are three knights, named Loup / Guiral and Clair, are in love with the same woman, the woman dies. They decide to live in silence on different Mountain tops in the area – they light fires every year to commemorate the woman they loved. The last one left, survivor, to light a fire was "Loup".

Pic Saint-Loup is the most northerly of the regions: 658m above sea level at its highest peak – it has rugged terrain and plantings are at about 150-300m. And it was the last of the Languedoc sub-apps to receive its AOP status (2017).

The region encompasses 1400 hectares (approx), with 75 independent “domaines”, 3 co-ops, and the region breaks down its wine production into: 90% Red / 10% Rosé … it is also one of the wettest regions of Languedoc (1000mm / year); but with a relatively dry growing season (~150mm). The soils are dominated by limestone.

Syrah makes up at least 50%; with both Grenache and Mourvedre playing integral parts; blends must be a minimum of two of these grapes. Secondary grapes include: Carignan, Cinsault, Cournoise, Morristel – capped at 10% of a blend; minimum ageing is 9 months (many go much longer).

Rosés are made up of at least 30% Syrah and 2 of the main grapes; Grenache Gris is also allowed.

One thing that makes the region so desirable for winemaking is its great diurnal temperature variation.

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PIC SL 1

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).

Chateau De Cazeneuve 2021 Les Calcaires ... Good
Château Fontanès 2019 Sereen ... Better
Château La Roque 2020 La Cupa ... Better
Château La Roque 2021 Château La Roque ... Good
Chateau Lancyre 2019 Grande Cuvée Rouge ... Good
Château L'euzière 2021 Almandin ... Good
Chemin Des Rêves 2021 Gueule De Loup ... Good
Domaine Cammaous Et Caussarelle 2019 Roubioire ... Better PIC SL 5
Domaine Cammaous Et Caussarelle 2020 Cent Seize ... Good
Domaine De L'hortus 2020 Domaine De L'hortus "Grande Cuvée" ... Good
Domaine De L'hortus 2021 Bergerie De L'hortus ... Good
Domaine La Fournaca 2021 Le Baiser De La Vigne ... Good
Domaine Les Grandes Costes 2019 Les Grandes Costes ... Good
Domaine Mirabel 2021 Les Éclats ... Good
Domaine Uma 2020 Domaine Uma ... Better
Gaec Heritage Du Pic Saint Loup 2021 Sainte Agnes ... Better
Hommes Et Terres Du Sud 2021 La Cordée ... Good
La Gravette 2020 Gravettissime ... Good
La Gravette 2020 L'intégrale ... Good
La Gravette 2021 Rocastel ... Better
La Gravette 2022 A L'etat Pur ... Good
Puech Haut 2019 Lavabre ... Better
Vignobles Des 3 Châteaux 2019 Les Déesses Muettes Obsession ... Good
Vignobles Des 3 Châteaux 2020 La Célébration ... Good
Vignobles Des 3 Châteaux 2020 La Diablesse ... Good

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MASTERCLASS WINES … “Pic Saint-Loup – a wine for ageing”

La Bergerie du Capucin 2011 Larmanella:
Not thrilling: dark, pruney, with some VA … pluses: peppery and toasty

Chateau Lancyre 2010 Vieilles Vignes:
Still alive: good dried fruit extract with notes of licorice and good length; savoury notes with tobacco and cedar.

Chateau de Cazeneuve 2010 Le Sang du Calvaire:
80% Mourvedre; licorice, smoky, floral firm center, comes across very young in its flavour profile.

Chateau de Lascaux 2009 Les Secrets: PIC SL4
wow-wine … lively, elegant, delicate yet still fresh and punchy. Subtle dried fruit leather, with a punch of acid/tannin on the finish.

Heritage du Pic Saint Loup 2006 Sainte Agnes:
An education in bottle variation: 1) harsh with VA and coffee bean. 2) fresher, lighter, elegant dried fruit, quite drinkable and dry.

 

Languedoc MARDI 2 MAI - 2023

03 Dec 2024

Lang 3c

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).

Lang 3a

MALEPERE - Rose & Red

Before today I paid little to no attention to Malepere, but after today’s tasting, it is on my radar. Three of four rosés / eight of 15 reds - delicious. The wines are primarily Merlot 50% - Malbec and Cabernet Franc (either / or 20%) + Grenache / Syrah / Cinsault. Once they get heavy-handed with oak, the wine falls apart and are uninteresting, but gentle hands make really fine wines. With that said: I've got my eyes open to Malepere.

Lang 3eChateau Guilhem 2020 Grand Vin (Red) ... Good
Chateau Guilhem 2021 Vignes Du Levant (Red) ... Good
Chateau Guilhem 2022 Vignes Du Levant (Rosé) ... Better
Cointes 2021 Clemence (Red) ... Good
Domaine Girard 2020 Cuvee Neri Rouge ... Good
Domaine La Louviere 2020 Empereur Rouge ... Good
Domaine La Louviere 2021 La Seductrice Rouge ... Better
Domaine Rose et Paul 2022 Malepère Rosé Rosé ... Best Lang 3d
Gerard Bertrand 2019 Château De La Soujeole Grand Vin Rouge Rouge ... Better
Les Vignobles De Vendeole 2020 442 Rouge ... Good
Sas Domaine De La Sapiniere 2022 Rosé Domaine Rosé ... Better

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Lang 3b


SAINT CHINIAN - White & Red

I think the scores speak for themselves - there are some really good wines from this region and you seem to have plenty of choice.

Borie La Vitarele 2021 Les Schistes Rouge ... Good
Chai Julip 2021 Jo Rouge ... Good
Chateau Bousquette 2020 Prestige Rouge ... Good
Château Castigno 2021 Les Beauttés De Castigno-Piknik Blanc ... Better
Chateau Coujan 2021 Bois Joli Blanc ... Good
Château Du Prieuré Des Mourgues 2018 Château Du Prieuré Des Mourgues - Grande Réserve Rouge ... Better
Château Milhau-Lacugue 2018 Les Truffières Rouge ... Good
Château Milhau-Lacugue 2020 Cuvée Mia Blanc ... Good
Clos Bagatelle 2022 Bagatelle Blanc ... Good
Domaine Boissezon Guiraud 2021 Comme À Cayenne Rouge ... Good
Domaine De L'orchis Pourpre 2020 Tango Rouge ... Better
Domaine De L'orchis Pourpre 2021 Charleston Rouge ... Good
Domaine Des Pradels Quartironi 2019 Lou Cistus Rouge ... Good
Domaine Des Pradels Quartironi 2020 Skhistos I Blanc ... Better
Domaine Du Sacre Coeur 2019 Charlotte Rouge ... Good
Domaine Du Sacre Coeur 2019 Jean Madoré Rouge ... Good
Domaine La Bosque 2019 Cayenne Rouge ... Better
Domaine La Bosque 2020 Las Borios Rouge ... Good
Domaine La Linquiere 2022 Fleur De Lin Blanc ... Good
Domaine La Madura 2021 Canopé Rouge ... Good
Domaine La Madura 2021 Classic Rouge ... Good
Domaine La Maurine 2019 Confidence Rouge ... Good
Domaine Marie De Lauzerda 2020 4 Éme Pas Sur La Lune Rouge ... Good
Fortant 2021 Fortant Sélections Parcellaires Rouge ... Good
Lanye-Barrac Vitifarm 2019 La Rabidote Rouge ... Good
Les Orchis Du Mazet 2019 Les Orchis Du Mazet Rouge ... Better
Les Vignobles Foncalieu 2019 L'apogée Rouge ... Better
Mas Champart 2019 Côte D'arbo Rouge ... Better
Mas Champart 2020 Saint Chinian Blanc Blanc ... Good
Mas De Cynanque 2021 Plein Grès Rouge ... Good
Sas Domaine Des Jougla 2020 Ancestrale Rouge ... Good
Terres 2 Freres 2021 Signatures Xii Rouge ... Good
Terres 2 Freres 2022 Empreintes Rouge ... Good

Lang 3f 

 

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