Savoury and satisfying are among the many descriptors mostly utilized by our judges on the Decanter World Wine Awards when describing the perfect crimson wines of the Languedoc in southern France.
Archetypal blended types with appellation necessities that decision for at least two varieties, Languedoc’s AP wines could be complicated, revealing a bunch of engaging aromas and flavours to delve into, significantly from the area’s prime appellations and named sub-zones resembling Minervois, La Clape or Corbières-Boutenac.
Scroll all the way down to see a number of prime crimson wines from throughout the area
Languedoc’s rising consideration to small-production and high-quality wines has meant that exports of the area’s AP wines proceed to develop, as do the tallies of prime medals received at worldwide wine competitions such because the Decanter World Wine Awards. The 2022 competitors outcomes noticed 5 wines awarded Platinum medals (97 factors) from varied Languedoc appellations, in addition to 13 Golds.
Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre play a principal function in these blends, however appellation specs, the addition of different varieties resembling Carignan and Cinsault, and the alternatives made by the winemaker imply that these wines can vary from refined and stylish reds to deep and wealthy.
‘We’re all the time in search of concord, equilibrium, steadiness and subtlety; wines which incarnate that exact regional fashion with panache and elegance’
– Andrew Jefford, DWWA Co-Chair
Beneath, discover the types which the DWWA specialists scored highest from 10 of Languedoc’s regional appellations – and there are various extra to find at awards.decanter.com
Riveting reds of the Languedoc
Corbières
Château Pech-Latt, Mémoire d’Alaric 2020
95 Gold
pech-latt.com
A really elegant ripe cherry nostril with candy vanilla oak results in a juicy, supple palate of completely ripened fruit and a satisfyingly lengthy kirsch end. Alcohol 15%
Corbières-Boutenac
Château Ollieux Romanis, Atal Sia 2019
97 Platinum
£19.50-£25.65 L’Artwork du Vin, North & South Wines, The Good Wine Store, The Wine Society
Smoky and earthy with notes of spiced meats, tobacco, herbs and incense becoming a member of wealthy blackberry and chocolate. Some beautiful rustic tannins and wellintegrated oak. Deep and wealthy, but it reveals finesse. Alc 14.5%
Faugères
Mas Gabinèle, Inaccessible 2020
97 Platinum
POA Hallgarten Wines
Lovely whole-cluster brambly aromas with loads of depth. The palate is refined and stylish, with darkish cherry, tobacco leaves and herbs. Nonetheless slightly youthful, it will develop and enhance over time. Alc 15%
Grés de Montpellier
Château Bas d’Aumelas, L’Egérie 2019
95 Gold
chateaubasaumelas.fr
A deep, complicated nostril reveals smoky blackcurrant, candy vanilla oak and darkish cacao. A mouthwatering palate follows, with darkish peppery fruit, savoury nuances and an oaky richness. Alc 14.5%
La Clape
Gérard Bertrand, Château l’Hospitalet Grand Vin 2020
97 Platinum
£38-£46 Harrods, Hedonism, Hic, Ocado
Ripe cassis with perfumed cloves and freshly floor pepper. The complete-bodied palate is wealthy with tannins and oak, providing baked fig, cooked cherry and soy. Has the substance and high quality to age gracefully. Alc 15%
Château Capitoul, Maëlma 2018
95 Gold
chateaucapitoul.com
Opens with blackberry compote and liquorice highlights. On the palate are olives, rosemary, tobacco and candy spices. Big and complicated, but additionally spacious and ethereal, with distinct oak matched by deep fruit. Alc 14.5%
Minervois
Domaine Cailhol Gautran, Villa Lucia 2019
97 Platinum
domainecailholgautran.com
An enormous, inky extracted crimson with a number of oak and tannin texture. A darkish brambly fruit nostril is exact and effectively expressed, whereas the luxurious palate has silky fruits, spices, pepper, espresso and smoked tea. Very polished. Alc 14.5%
Château d’Agel, In Extremis 2020
96 Gold
chateaudagel.com
Has a wealthy nostril of elegant vanilla oak and loads of ripe, smoky fruit, with a contact of cloves in assist. Impressively complicated on the palate with scrumptious ripe fruit and wonderful tannins. Alc 14.5%
Domaine Pujol, Dius a Vol 2019
96 Gold
POA Deliciously French, Made in Little France
Very concentrated aromas of candy raspberry jam and peppery spice, with refined oak affect. An opulent and highly effective palate with completely ripe blackberries, wonderful tannins and lingering acidity. Alc 14.5%
Minervois La Livinière
Aubert & Mathieu, Milo 2019
97 Platinum
£22 Enotria&Coe
Splendidly fragrant and wealthy. Scrumptious conjunction of candy oak and ripe fruit on the palate, with supple tannins and brilliant acidity. Finishes with a swirl of darkish cherries, tapenade, natural spice and gamey hints. Alc 14.5%
Château Maris, Les Amandiers 2018
95 Gold
£103-£115 Armit, Hic, Wine Republic
Hints of candy vanilla comply with intense minty cherry aromas, plus cedar wooden and smoky oak. A wealthy, beneficiant palate, with ripe blackberries and velvety tannins, and a darkish chocolate end. Alc 15%
Pic St-Loup
Domaine des Rocs, Sancto Lupo 2021
96 Gold
boutique.vignobles-jeanjean.com
An expressive nostril of pure crimson fruits is surrounded by bay leaf and lavender hints. Beneficiant, mouthfilling flavours of oaky darkish cherries, with wonderful tannins and a protracted end. Alc 14.5%
Château de Lascaux, Carra 2020
95 Gold
£16.50 JN Wine, Q Wines
A gorgeous bouquet of darkish cherries, chocolate and tobacco with a savoury edge, main right into a palate stuffed with velvety tannins, chewy ripe fruit and a peppery end. Alc 14%
St-Chinian Roquebrun
Cave de Roquebrun, Seigneur d’Aupenac 2019
95 Gold
cave-roquebrun.fr
A heady blackcurrant preserve and chocolate nostril with fascinating hot-stone aromatics. Lean, agency tannins encompass a core of ripe blackcurrant, bacon, liquorice, smoke and pencil shavings. A great deal of potential. Alc 14.5%
Terrasses du Larzac
Château Capion 2018
94 Silver
£39.95-£47.50 (2016) DDWine, Arduous to Discover Wines
A lot of candy oak, with black cherry, liquorice and a curry-house word – smoked tandoor spices and fenugreek. Massive and shiny. Alc 15%
