2016 Gérard Bertrand Château l'Hospitalet Grand Vin, France, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape AOP, Wine Review
In a recent blind tasting of Languedoc wines, this was the clear winner. It is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre. Purple in color, clear and bright. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice, slight black olives and strawberries. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. Good balance. On the palate, this is tasty with flavors of black cherries and black raspberries along with a bit of spice and pepper. Nice finish. This drinks well on its own but better with food. This would be a nice wine with grilled meats or fowl. Drink over the next few years.
2019 Maison Cassagne et Vitailles Nimalaya Vieux Carignan, France, Languedoc, Wine Review
This is 100% Carignan from the south of France. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, some cherries, spice and dust. Light bodied. Thin texture. Good acidity. On the palate, flavors of black cherries. Moderate finish. This is much better with food and went well with a Spinach and Artichoke dip, not an easy pairing. It would be better with a big plate of pasta with some type of tomato sauce. Drink over the next five years.
2021 Gérard Bertrand Oriane Syrah Carignan, France, Languedoc, Wine Review
This is a blend of 55% Syrah and 45% Carignan from the south of France. Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries and some black cherries along with spices. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries. Moderate finish. This is an easy drinking red that is probably better with some hearty food. A good choice for a burger off the grill. Drink over the next couple of years.
2022 Leydier et Fils Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Selected by Kermit Lynch, France, Rhone, Wine Review
This is a blend of 55% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Merlot, and 10% Marselan from the Rhone Valley, France. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cherries, some black raspberries, slight olives and spice. Soft texture. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, red fruits with some spice/black pepper. Moderate finish. This drinks well on its own and will work with many foods. The Kermit Lynch website suggest fried chicken and that sounds like a good match. Drink over the next three to five years.
2020 Domaine La Tour Boisée Carignan Vieilles Vignes, France, Coteaux de Peyriac IGP, Wine Review
This is 100% Carignan grapes from vines planted in 1955 in the South of France. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cherries, some black cherries, cedar and spice. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, thin cherries with some earthiness. Moderate finish. This is interesting in that the wine seems to have heft but the overall impression of fruit and complexity is on the thin side. It certainly improves with some food. This would work with Pasta in a tomato based sauce. Drink now.
2019 Vignobles Lorgeril Cabardès Chateau de Caunettes, France, Languedoc, Wine Review
This is a 60/40 blend of Grenache and Syrah from southern France. Purple in color with ruby hues. The nose is deep with black cherries, black raspberries, spices and slight anise. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, flavors of black cherries. Solid finish. This is drinking well now and should continue for another two to three more years. It is nice on its own but probably better with food. A nice choice for Pizza night (no Pineapple).
2022 Clos Fantine Faugères Cuvée Courtiol, France, Languedoc, Wine Review
2018 Maison Cassagne et Vitailles Terrasses du Larzac Clas Mani, France, Languedoc, Wine Review
This is mostly Syrah from the southern France AOP of Terrasses du Larzac. Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, an interesting cinnamon note and other baking spices. Soft texture. Medium to firm tannins. On the palate, black raspberries and black cherries with a bit of spice. Good finish. This is drinking well now and probably just about at peak. Drink over the next year or two. It is nice on its own and will work well with Cassoulet or other meat stew type dishes.
2017 Domaine Rostaing Le Vassal (Rene Rostaing), France, Languedoc, Wine Review
Rene Rostaing is one of the top producers of Cote Rotie in the Rhone valley. This is from his Languedoc winery also known as Domaine de Puech Noble. It is mostly Syrah with come Mourvedre and Grenache. Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is sweaty/earthy with some black raspberries and black cherries. Soft texture. Medium tannins. Medium bodied. On the palate, black cherry fruit. This seems past prime based on this bottle and needs to be consumed. It will be better with food. Meatloaf would be a good pairing.