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Languedoc-Roussillon & Provence – autumn collection

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See this guide to our autumn collections for how to get the most from our regional assortments of recent wine reviews.

We still maintain that the Languedoc-Roussillon is the source of many of France's best-value wines shaped by human hand and distinctive geography. 

The wines are grouped by colour, and then in declining score order to try to help you pick out the best value wines. Search for GV to identify those that struck us as bargains when we tasted them.

WHITE

Dom Begude, L’Étoile de Begude Chardonnay 2011 Limoux

Gosh, quite a price! I assume there is some smart oak involved here (actually I now remember that any Limoux Chardonnay has by law got to be oak aged) and indeed there is just the merest hint of whisky about it but it certainly couldn’t be described as oaky. Firm and dry. No one could possibly be offended by this example. Substantial in the mouth. (JR) 13.5%
Drink
2013
2017
£17.99 Majestic. Buy 2 each £12.99 until 3 Feb 2014
16

Producteurs Plaimont 2012 IGP Gers

The vines here grow on clay and chalky soils on the hilltops of the Gers department in the south-west of France. The grapes for this wine were harvested in the early hours of the morning and evenings of mid September. The winemaking process was oriented on thiols extraction and minimal oxidation, achieved via six to eight hours of skin contact at 8-12°C. After the press the must was kept on lees for three days.
Clean without searing acidity. Does the business even if you would probably tire after one glass. (JR) 11%
Drink
2013
£4.99 Marks and Spencer
15

Gayda Viognier 2012 IGP Pays d'Oc

Not much varietal aroma – a bit industrial on the nose. Then salty. (JR) 13%
Drink
2013
£9.40 Haynes Hanson & Clark, £8.99 Leon Stolarski
15

Gayda Chardonnay 2012 IGP Pays d'Oc

100% Chardonnay. Pneumatic press, cold settling, and 25% fermentation in new oak barrels and 75% fermentation in stainless-steel vats between 14°C and 16 °C. On the lees with bâtonnage for six months in the barrels.
Chardonnay with a slightly Sauvignonesque accent. (Yeast?) Certainly not heavy but a little astringent on the finish at the moment. And a bit sweet! 13.5%
Drink
2014
2015
£9.95 Jeroboams
15

Ch Henri Bonnaud, Le Tholonet Quintessence 2012 Palette

Two varieties of Clairette with a little Ugni Blanc and raised in oak for six months.
Amazing what price Ugni Blanc can command if grown near Aix! Southern sun, breadth, creaminess and a 'kiss of oak' (copyright R Mondavi). Lots of interest but I think you'd need to be reminded of a holiday to be thrilled at that price. Good texture and presence though. By no means a fly-by-night. (JR) 13%
Drink
2013
2017
£22 The Wine Society
16

Padié, Fleur de Cailloux 2011 IGP Côtes Catalanes

50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Grenache Gris, 20% Maccabeu. Rather obvious oak on the nose and a bit jagged. Not the most expressive and natural Roussillon white to me! Very chewy finish. (JR) 12.5%
Drink
2014
2016
£15.99 Les Caves de Pyrène
15.5

Depeyre, Symphonie 2011 IGP Côtes Catalanes

66% Grenache Gris, 34% Grenache Blanc. A really good mouthful, even though I say it myself! [JR's wine choice for the Absolutely Cracking Wines from France tasting.] (JR) 14.5%
Drink
2013
2016
£15.95 Stone Vine & Sun
16.5

Ch Rives-Blanques, Le Limoux 2010 Limoux

40% Chardonnay, 42% Chenin Blanc, 18% Mauzac. Light nose and well integrated. Relatively complex but not given away! (JR) 13.5%
Drink
2012
2015
£12.50 Great Western Wine
16

Mas Janeil François Lurton, Traou de l'Ouille 2012 Côtes du Roussillon

Old-vine Grenache Gris and Macabeu (average age 30 years) planted in 'a hollow near the stream' (that's what the name means) on clay-limestone soils. Fermented and aged 10 months in demi-muids.
Both creamy and a touch smoky on the nose. Dense and fresh with lovely intensity and yet still has a delicacy and lightness of touch. Stony citrus, a touch herbal and that lovely pear ripeness that is so typical of these varieties in this region, with a salty edge increasing the freshness. Oak is very much in the background, giving a creamy, leesy texture rather than any oak flavour. (JH) 14%
Drink
2013
2017
17

Mas Janeil François Lurton, Le Petit Pas 2012 Côtes du Roussillon

45% Grenache Blanc, 35% Grenache Gris, 20% Macabeu grown on clay-limestone soils black shale. Half the juice fermented in demi-muids, the other half in concrete. pH 3.32, RS 2.1 g/l. Matured 9 months in French oak barrels, some new, and vats.
Distinctive aromas that include pear and citrus but also a more floral note not unlike white blossom. Pear on the palate too but without the pear texture. Cool and fragrant and dry with a zesty finish. Some peachy softness even though it has fresh acidity. Long too, a slight bitterness at the end adding freshness. (JH) 13.9%
Drink
2013
2014
16

ROSÉ

Maubernard, Rosé 2012 Bandol

Soft and powdery nose. Just off dry. Very pretty pale pinky orange. Does the bit. (JR)
Drink
2013
2014
£16.95 Roberson
15.5

Lafran-Veyrolles, Rosé 2012 Bandol

75% Mourvèdre with 15% Cinsault and 10% Grenache. Made in a tiny cellar in a small town called La Cadière d’Azur on the Côte d’Azur. The vineyards sit in a natural amphitheatre creating a micro-climate for the production of very healthy grapes. The vineyards are treated as organically as possible, although not certified. Made entirely from press juice, with all of the varieties being vinified separately and the final assemblage made in the Autumn just before bottling. Winemaker Leonardo Bellacaccini. TA 3.84 g/l, pH 3.54, RS 1.7 g/l.
Very pale orange. Scented and satin smooth. Very well done and a food wine with herby and marine scents. A bit lighter than the most famous Bandol rosé and a tad more like Esclans – but much cheaper! Mouth filling. GV (JR) 13%
Drink
2013
2015
£14.99 Waitrose
16.5

RED

La Pèira, La Pèira en Damaisèla 2011 Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac

Crimson and not that dense. Mid crimson. Treacle notes with herbs and spices. Dry finish. Still neat and racy. Transparent. Lively. Overall there is the trademark combination of minerals and sweetness. Sweetness dominates at the moment. Then a bit chewy on the end. (JR) 14.5%
Drink
2017
2030
£68 Berry Bros & Rudd
17

Richeaume, Cuvée Tradition 2010 Vin de France

Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah. Sweet oak, ripe fruit. Could quite easily be Australian or Chilean. Well sculpted, but not typically French, really. (RH)

14%
Drink
2013
2016
£17.25 Yapp Brothers
15.5

Les Filles de Septembre 2012 IGP Côtes de Thongue

Merlot, Grenache, Carignan. Juicy blackberry jam fruit, sweet spices. Soft, juicy, fragrant. Loads of flavour, in a classic and recognisable southern French style. GV (RH)

14%
Drink
2013
2015
£9.25 Yapp Brothers
15.5

Gérard Bertrand Syrah/Carignan 2010 Minervois

60% Syrah and 40% Carignan, harvested with a yield of 35hl/ha, grown on the garrigue hills of the Minervois appellation at 100 – 250m altitude on mixed quaternary layers including sandstone, schist and marble. Each grape variety was vinified individually and traditionally in order to express its individual character. Partly traditional ferment of free-run with a % undergoing whole bunch fermentation by carbonic maceration method, in epoxy-lined concrete vats. Full malo then aged in 225 litre Bordelaise barrels for 8 months. Bottled July 2011. Winemaker Gérard Bertrand. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. TA 4.65g/l, pH 3.81, RS 1.4g/l. DWWA 2012 Bronze Medal.
Really attractive fruit purity – much more modern and rewarding than the Dom Marie Faugères. Clearly made for an ‘international’ palate, but doesn’t lose it’s innate Frenchness either – it’s savoury, restrained and with light, floury tannin. (RH) 13%
Drink
2013
2020
£8.99 Waitrose
16 +

Dom de Brau, Les Compagnons 2010 Vin de Pays d'Oc

60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown organically. Aromas of red and black fruits that make your mouth water, lightly peppery. Utterly drinkable, so juicy and refreshing without being simple. Lively at first and then spreads across the palate. Tannins are present but smoothly in the background to give some structure. Showing the best qualities of both Cabernets. VGV (JH) 13.2%
Drink
2012
2015
£7.99 Vintage Roots
16.5

Maubernard 2009 Bandol

Ch Pibarnon's winemaker. Dense and not reduced. Solid and warm. VGV (JR)
Drink
2014
2020
£16.95 Roberson
16

Cave de Roquebrun 2011 St-Chinian Roquebrun

Very dark. Seductively well knit with a real beginning, middle and end, sleek leathery flavours and a glossiness to it, though no tarty sweetness. Excellent example of the value to be had here. VGV. (JR) 14%
Drink
2013
2017
£12.99 Majestic. Buy 2 bottles each £9.99 until 3 Feb 2014
16.5

Ch de Roquefort, Grêle Rouge No 2 2012 IGP Méditerranée

The red version of the hailstorm rosé. A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet, Merlot
Deep purple. Violets and crushed rocks on the nose. Dark fruit, slightly smoky, rugged with scented garrigue. Almost meaty. Beautifully integrated – a wine of the earth, but with perfume and lift and grace. Tannins as soft and supple as chamois. Fresh on the finish with the lightest brush of liquorice and crushed black olive on the finish. (TC) 13.5%
Drink
2013
2017
TBC St John Wines
17

Domaine of the Bee, Les Genoux 2011 IGP Côtes Catalanes

From a single vineyard of centenarian vines. Unfiltered and sealed with 'beeswax from some bee-keeping friends'). Only 1,422 bottles were filled. If anything it is a less deep crimson than the regular 2011. (Les Genoux – bee's knees – geddit?) Headily perfumed and more transparent somehow  than the regular bottling. In fact you could easily gobble this up immediately. Really very fine. Lifted like a fine red burgundy. Lovely fine texture. Sweet but not sickly. It does rather remind me of that vat of Clos de Papes with the super-high alcohol but no trace of it on the palate. Feels very nourishing. But fresh. The tannins are all but imperceptible. Well done, Brits! (JR) 15%
Drink
2013
2019
17.5

Skalli, Domaine du Silène 2006 Languedoc, Grés de Montpellier

80% Syrah, 20% Grenache. Classic low-temperature vinification, 28 °C maximum. Five weeks on the skins for the Syrah, and three weeks for the Grenache. Matured for 18-24 months in new French oak.
Gosh, it has been some time since I have seen a Skalli wine! They seem to be going towards terroir from varietals, not before time. There's a little sweetness and not quite the depth of the Gros & Tollot Fontanilles 2011. I should imagine the oak tannins were pretty fierce until now. 13.5%
Drink
2012
2015
£19.95 Jeroboams
15.5

Anne Gros & Jean-Paul Tollot, Les Fontanilles 2011 Minervois

20-year-old Grenache, 20-year-old Syrah, 45-year-old Carignan. 50% barrels and 50% stainless-steel tanks.
Healthy crimson. Sweet, gentle-textured, well-melded Languedoc blend with burgundian polish. Not a bad price at all. Much more sophisticated than the average Minervois. Very satisfying persistence. 14.5%
Drink
2014
2018
£18.95 Jeroboams
16.5

Anne Gros & Jean-Paul Tollot, La 50/50 2011 Vin de Table

A blend of 30-year-old Carignan, with 40-year-old Cinsault, together with 18-year-old Grenache vines, matured in stainless steel.
Mid crimson. Intense nose that really does smell a little burgundian! Lots of warmth and juice but overall a most attractive fragrance. Real hand-crafted stuff. Most unusual but most satisfying. Lovely now. VGV 13.5%
Drink
2012
2015
£13.95 Jeroboams
16.5

Mas des Tannes Paul Mas, Les Tannes Syrah 2012 IGP Pays d'Oc

100% Syrah. From an organically farmed vineyard. The fruit is de-stemmed, crushed and fermented in vat at 28 °C maximum over five days. There follows a further five days in lined concrete vat, 20% in French oak.
Screwcapped offering from Ch de Conas in Pézenas. Bright crimson. Vibrant Syrah nose more in northern Rhône mould than super-ripe Languedoc. Good structure and nicely homespun for the price. Vineyards between Pézenas and Sète apparently. GV

13.5%
Drink
2013
2014
£7.95 Jeroboams
16

Ch des Karantes, Bergerie 2011 Languedoc, La Clape

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend from Narbonne-Plage. Blackish ruby. Round and ripe on the nose. Sweet and just a tad tarty but it delivers masses of fruit per penny. Just a hint of rusty nail on the end. (JR)
Drink
2013
2016
£9.40 Ditton
16

Dom de La Réserve d'O, Bilbo 2011 Languedoc, St-Saturnin

Demeter. Grenache and Syrah blend from vines grown at 400 m above the village of Arboras.
Light ruby. Rich and sweet and full of fresh appeal. Much more user friendly than most Côtes du Rhône. Sweet, spicy and very natural. GV (JR) 15%
Drink
2013
2016
£10.95 The Wine Society
16.5

Ch Rouquette sur Mer 2011 Languedoc, La Clape

Mostly Mourvèdre and Syrah with Carignan and Grenache in support. No oak. Correct and nicely balanced. Claret structure with southern accent and flesh. Good polished leather finish. Not a headline grabber but awfully good for the money. Very vital. GV (JR) 14%
Drink
2013
2017
£10.50 The Wine Society
16

Ch Vignelaure, La Source 2008 Coteaux d'Aix en Provence

Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Dark ruby. Some evolution at the rim. Gently integrated and much better value than, for example, the Palette white shown at the same tasting. Gentle and mature, Lively. Dry finish. Neat and persistent with spice and quite a bit of tannin but not aggressively much. GV (JR) 13.5%
Drink
2012
2017
£10.50 The Wine Society
16

Madeloc, Magenca 2007 Collioure

Lovely sweet richness – surely Grenache? Yes 65% (with 20% Syrah, 15% Carignan and Mourvèdre) and lovely evolution. Full of richness, warmth and garrigue, Funny to think it's made so close to Spain. Lovely and long. Not too alcoholic, some tannins but really great French local character. GV (JR) 14%
Drink
2011
2017
£21 H2Vin
17.5

Ch St-Jacques d'Albas, La Chapelle 2007 Minervois

60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Carignan. Robust and well made although I feel I know many other wines like it! Chewy and made for food but with great local personality. (JR) 15%
Drink
2013
2018
£18.33 Handford
16.5

Ch Maris, Les Vieilles Vignes 2011 Minervois-La Livinière

85% Syrah with 15% Grenache from vineyards planted on hard and soft limestone and alluvial soils. Grapes were hand-picked from early-Sept to mid-Oct. Fully destemmed and placed in wooden tanks for a long fermentation/maceration of 5 weeks using only indigenous yeast. Then the free run and press wines were combined in a mixture of 5,000 litre French oak tanks and concrete tanks for a 12 month maturation. Bottled with minimum preservative addition, a light filtration and no fining. Winemaker Robert Eden. TA 3.4 g/l, pH 3.61, RS 2.0 g/l.
Rich and sweet. Sculpted for maximum enjoyment and a very fair price. Organic Syrah in some oak. GV (JR) 14.5%
Drink
2013
2016
£10.99 Waitrose
16.5

Ch de Caraguilhes 2012 Corbières

50% Syrah, 40% Carignan and 10% Grenache and Mourvèdre. Vines are 10 – 50 years old, planted on a rocky hillside with clay-limestone and at a density of 4,000 – 5,500 vines/ha. Low yields of approximately 35 hl/ha result in great concentration. Grapes were hand and machine picked. Maceration lasted 15 – 21 days with a 7 – 10 day ferment at 25 °C with a combination of selected and ambient yeast in cement tanks. Pressed very gently with Bucher presses, natural malo and aged in cement tanks. Bottled April – June 2013. Winemaker Emmanuelle Tant with consultant Etienne Besancenot. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Alc 14.2%, TA 4.8 g/l, pH 3.85, RS<1 g/l.
Young, simple and fruity. An early adopter of organics. Good but simple and merely ripe. (JR) 14.2%
Drink
2014
2017
£9.99 Waitrose
15.5

Dom Marie 2012 Faugères

40% Carignan, 30% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre from Domaine Marie, a 15 ha estate set in the picturesque foothills of the Cevennes mountains in Roquessels. Vines are 40 years old and were harvested in mid-Sept at full ripeness with a yield close to 40 hl/ha. Traditional macerations lasted up to 4 weeks with a complete immersion of the grapes at the end. After malo, matured in concrete tanks. Winemaker Pierrick Harang. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. TA 3.74 g/l, pH 3.54, RS 2.0 g/l.
The sweetness and Carignan makes this a bit too awkward and sweet and sour for me to love at the moment. (JR) 13.7%
Drink
2014
2015
£8.49 Waitrose
15

Bunan, Mas de la Rouvière 2007 Bandol

Round and gentle – fully evolved. Very firm finish though after a fully evolved nose. I wonder whether it will ever be in perfect balance? (JR)

14.5%
Drink
2011
2015
£17.95 Yapp Brothers
15.5

Mas Janeil François Lurton, Sans Soufre 2012 Côtes du Roussillon-Villages

From Tautavel. pH 3.83. Grenache and Carignan co-fermented in concrete tanks, Syrah undergoes three-week carbonic maceration. Sans soufre = without added SO2.
Deep crimson. High-toned red fruit, a little spirity on the nose at first. But it also has the complexity of notes of earth and liquorice and dark fruit on the palate and garrigue's wild scrubland. Highly fragrant. Dense with ripe but fresh fruit. Firm, quite chewy and very pure with peppery overtones and a long satisfying finish. I'm assuming it shouldn't be kept as it has no added sulphur but the tannins and acidity may just keep it in good condition for longer. (JH) 15%
Drink
2013
2014
16.5

Ch des Erles François Lurton, Cuvée des Ardoises 2011 Fitou

A blend of Carignan, Syrah and Grenache. Deep crimson. Ripe sweet/sour cherry fruit – delicious purity and freshness. That same fruit purity on the palate but with no excess sweetness and just fine dry tannins. Mouthwatering and refreshing and full of youthful energy. Vibrant and just the right amount of chew on the finish to make it a great food wine. The fruit lingers on the finish. (JH) 13.5%
Drink
2013
2015
16.5

Mas Janeil François Lurton, Le Pas de la Mule 2010 Côtes du Roussillon-Villages

Schist, slate and chalky soils soils, 60% old-vine Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. Carbonic maceration for the Syrah. Aged in new demi-muids casks for 12-16 months.
Deep opaque crimson. First impression is sweet oak spice and perfectly ripe dark fruit plus a faint floral aroma. Really perfumed as it opens up. Rich, chewy and spicy on the palate, tannins are thick and deep but soft. Plenty to get your teeth into and will surely become much more refined with time in bottle. The alcohol is surprisingly well hidden and there's a very dry texture on the finish. Good acidity, a little warm on the finish and there's a clear sense of place of origin in the definition and minerally tone. Might have scored it higher but for the evidence of alcohol. (JH) 16%
Drink
2015
2020
17

Mas Janeil François Lurton, Le Petit Pas 2012 Côtes du Roussillon

75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Carignan grown on schist, clay and chalky soils near the village of Maury, fermented in concrete. Part aged in barrels for 10 months, part in concrete.
Lifted fragrant fruit aroma with a touch of vanilla and cedary herbs. Really bright and full of life. Then compact and still very toothsome on the palate. Some spice, plenty of freshness and quite a firm tannic grip without astringency. Very satisfying southern red with an attractive mineral quality adding sophistication. Delicious. (JH) 14.8%
Drink
2013
2015
16.5

François Lurton, Terra Sana Syrah 2012 IGP Pays d'Oc

Organic wine. Grown on acidic schistous soils on the slopes of St-Chinian. Machine harvested. Part vinified as a rosé, part traditional red ferment. pH 3.19.
Deep cherry red. Spicy cherry fruit on the nose, slightly bloody and peppery too. Peppery and sweet-fruited on the palate, more red fruit than classic Syrah black fruit. Hint of earthy mushroom (that's positive, not mushroom as in rot). Lovely fresh acidity, juicy finish and overall refreshingly bright and fresh fruited but with a nice savoury undertow at the end. (JH) 12.5%
Drink
2013
2015
16

Domaine of the Bee 2011 IGP Côtes Catalanes

'Tiny bunches of' Grenache and Carignan' according to the back label written by MW Justin Howard-Sneyd, his wife Amanda, and Philippe. Winemaker is Richard Case, owner of Domaine de la Pertuisane in Maury. Dark crimson. Very intense nose promises that it has hidden depths. Rich but not hot. Really very beguiling. No pussycat but lovely texture. The burnt black-fruit flavours unfurl slowly like a cat stretching. I'm convinced! Very beguiling with considerable tannins but masses of fruit and herbs too. (JR) 15%
Drink
2013
2018
16.5

Dom de Cébène, Les Bancèls 2010 Faugères

Brigitte Chevalier. Soft ruby. Sweet and round, very juicy and quite burgundian. Quite different from most – sort of Stéphane Derenoncourt style. GV? (JR) 14%
Drink
2013
2016
Vine Trail
16.5