DOMAINE LA COLOMBETTE Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Libron (2009) Grenache/Syrah
A mid weight, spicy, easy drinking red. A typical Languedoc style of intense red berries and firm aromatic pepperiness. Ideal with grilled meats, poultry, charcuterie or just drinking on its own.
DOMAINE LA COLOMBETTE Plume Rouge 9%abv Grenache
ST JOHN ROUGE (2009) Vin de Pays D'Oc
DOMAINE PIERRE CROS Tradition (2009) Minervois
Grenache / Carignan / Syrah
Stoney, spicy fruit with a good rigid, firm mineral structure. A savoury mid palate - good terroir character. An excellent introduction to the style of Minervois reds.
St JOHN CLARET (2007)
68% Merlot / 32% Cabernet Sauvignon
CHATEAU LA COLOMBIERE Reserve (2005) Fronton
65% Negrette / 20% Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc / 15% Syrah
A light brick red hue to this wine. The nose is very pencilly with some grilled meats on top. The palate is soft with a good helping of generous soft fruit but it's the dark, slightly chunky structure behind that really makes this wine.
LA GRANGE AUX BELLES 'Le Vin de Jardin' (2008) VIN DE PAYS, Loire
70% Gamay, 20% Grolleau, 10% Cabernet Franc
The Grolleau seems to bring out the best in the Gamay here. Oodles of summery, fresh berries and just the right balance of acidity to fruit. The Grolleau also gives an almost squidgy texture that steers the wine away from what can sometimes be Gamay's over acidic nature.
Light enough to go wonderfully with even delicate fish dishes, but with enough juice and body to be drunk on its own - without inducing acid tummy.
Nice slightly chilled.
DOMAINE PIERRE CROS La Liberte (NV) Vin De Table Francais
CHATEAU DE ROQUEFORT Guele de Loup (NV) Vin De Table Provence
Domaine de Roquefort
Grenache, Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Organic production
Dark, spicy, leafy fruits with a lovely, juicy, tart acidity and delicate chocolate finish. A herby palate with a hint of pencil case character. Nice drunk slightly chillled
CHATEAU LA COLOMBIERE Tradition (2005) Fronton
80% Negrette, 20% Cab Sauv & Franc
Deep liquorice and floral characters with a nice seem of cassis both on the nose & palate. Intriguing leafy notes and a good weight with out seeming heavy. All rounded off with a nice juicy acidity and interesting long finish.
DOMAINE RICHARD ROTTIERS Moulin a Vent 2008 (half bottle, 37.5cl)
DOMAINE LES BRUYERES Vin de Pays 'Syrah' (2009) 100% Syrah
This is effectively David's baby Crozes Hermitage.
It's easy to recognise the same intensity and dark, pepper spiced fruit that you find in the rest of his range. But it's all toned down a notch or two. The tannins are softer, there's a bit more meat and a bit less direct intensity.
It still ticks all the right Northern Rhone boxes and is a better wine than many AOC wines from the region!!!
DOMAINE BOUDAU Le Clos (2009) Cotes de Roussillon
DOMAINE OLIVIER PITHON Mon P'tit Pithon (2009) Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes
Domaine Olivier Pithon
Grenache
Organic production
LA GRANGE AUX BELLES La Chaussee Rouge (2008) Vin De Table Loire
50% Cabernet Franc, 50% Grolleau
A wonderful fruity, light wine - slightly different from the usual set of flavours you find in light Loire reds.
The Grolleau seems to bring out the best in the Cabernet Franc - lots of lovely strawberry flavours with just a slight nod towards the chunky tannins that so often puts people off this variety. It also adds a nice pink appley character with a faint spiciness.
It is the feel and texture that impresses most - it's light without being thin and acidic yet it has body without being astringent and clumsy.
Nice slightly chilled.