France – Domaine Monts et Merveilles L'Inattendu 2014

Domaine and vineyard

 

The domaine Monts et Merveilles is above all the story of Laure and Julien. She manager of wine cellar, sommelier him, they decide to settle in the Minervois, in the Languedoc region, to undertake an activity that is not simply a winery but also an environmental education center where retrieve a direct contact with nature.

The first vintage is 2012, lived as a big party with the joint participation of relatives, friends and neighbors winemakers. Winegrowers who dispense advice, lend tools, provide parts of their cellars to this pair of dreamers to help them realize their project. After the first harvest the "solidarity" of local producers has not failed to help Laure and Julien create their wines.

The vineyard covers a total area of ​​4.20 hectares divided into 5 parcels. The grape varieties are Syrah, Grenache Noir, Carignan Noir, Marsanne and Roussanne. The work in the vineyard is oriented to the maximum respect for nature and the overall conduct of the vineyard is organic and biodynamic.

The wine

The Domaine Monts et Merveilles L’Inattendu 2014 is a blend of the best grapes of Syrah coming from the parcel of Altitude de Cassagnoles and Grenache Noir from the oldest vines. To be well appreciated it has to be opened at least two hours before and left breathing. This wine is produced only in special vintages and in very limited quantities (vintage 2014 has given 500 bottles). 

Tasting Note

Date	21 March 2016
Wine name	L’INATTENDU	Vintage	2014
Nation	France	Region	Languedoc
AOC-DOC	//	Grape Varieties	Syrah Grenache Noir
Serving temperature	16-18° C	Alcohol	13
Price (in euro)	18	SO2 (in mg/l)	10

 

Visual Examination		Taste analysis
Limpidity	Limpid	Body	Full
Color	Ruby Red	Balance	Balanced
Consistency	Quite consistent	Soft sensations	Quite Warm – Soft
Effervescence	//	Hard sensations	Quite Tannic
		Flavors intensity	Intense
Olfactory analysis		Flavours	Mulberry, Plums, Liquorice
Aroma intensity	Intense
Complexity	Complex	Finish/Persistence	Quite Persistent
Quality	Fine	Overall evaluations
Aromas	Red Fruits, Mulberry, Plums	Development	Ready
	Liquorice	Harmony	Harmonious

 

Food and wine pairing

This wine is a great match with red meats, either grilled or cooked in sauce. Great pairing is also with tagliatelle with ragu or with dishes of charcuterie and cheese.

Excellent even on its own.

Third wine from this producer and third strike. This red wine is fine and elegant. It deserves being drunk and appreciated with calm and time. The wine itself is straight, nice in the olfactory analysis and excellent at the taste with very strong body. Great wine.

Official website: www.domainemontsetmerveilles.com

France - Domaine CASABIANCA AOP Rouge 2014 Cuvée du Centenaire Fondateur

Domaine and vineyard

The origins of the Domaine CASABIANCA date back to 1895 when Jean-Bernardin Casabianca founded a company of wines and alcoholic beverages that progresses to cross the borders of Corsica and get into continental France after World War II. In 1956 Emmanuel, descending of Jean-Bernardin creates a farm in the town of Linguizzetta, in locations Bravone. The company covers an area of 470 ha. The company passes through alternating fortunes until 1994 when, taken in hand by one of the sons of Emmanuel, Jean-Bernardin, undergoes a major restructuring.

The domaine took its current name CASABIANCA and is dedicated to the cultivation of autochthone grape varieties. Has total of 470 hectares, 230 of which are productive today, all under the AOP Vin de Corse.

An extension so great allows having a considerable variety of soils and micro-climates which justify the production of different wine lines.

In general, the terroir is chalky-clay, lashed by the sea air and the freshness of the mountains of Corsica.

The wine

The Domaine CASABIANCA AOP Rouge 2014 Cuvée du Centenaire Fondateur is a blend of Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu in equal proportions. The wine comes from vineyards average age 18 years, in selected land with yields around 40 hl / ha. The grapes are grown according to the principles of "raisonnée" agriculture (tending to organic but which does not reject the use of fertilizers or chemicals if conditions require). After harvesting (handmade) the grapes remain 15 months in vats before bottling.

The Niellucciu (63 hectares of vineyards) is a vine that 'well suited to calcareous soils; gives tannic wines, with body, of a dark red color, with aromas of red fruits, violets and a slight note of wood

The Sciaccarellu (21.5 of vineyards) is a typical Corsican vine giving pale red wines, light-bodied, with aromas of red fruits, strawberries, raspberries, but also spices and coffee.

Tasting Note

Date	26 March 2016
Wine name	CUVEE CENTENAIRE DU FONDATEUR ROUGE	Vintage	2014
Nation	France	Region	Corsica
AOC-DOC	Corse	Grape Varieties	50 % Niellucciu 50% Sciaccarellu
Serving temperature	16-18° C	Alcohol	12,5
Price (in euro)	14	SO2 (in mg/l)	Nd

 

Visual Examination		Taste analysis
Limpidity	Limpid	Body	Full/Weak
Color	Garnet	Balance	Balanced
Consistency	Scarcely consistent	Soft sensations	Quiet warm – Quiet Soft
Effervescence	//	Hard sensations	Scarcely tannic
		Flavors intensity	Scarcely Intense
Olfactory analysis		Flavours	Red Fruits, Vanilla
Aroma intensity	Quite Intense
Complexity	Quite Complex	Finish/Persistence	Scarcely Persistent
Quality	Quite Fine	Overall evaluations
Aromas	Prunes, Pepper, Spices,	Development	Ready
	Vanilla, Menthol	Harmony	Harmonious

 

Food and wine pairings

A wine for every meal, particularly suitable to accompany the lamb skewers, white or red grilled meats but also soft cheeses or desserts like pears in wine.

Among the wines I bought from domaine Casabianca, this was the one I was most interested in, curious to taste the blend of these two autochthone grape varieties. However, the outcome of this tasting has been a bit disappointing. The color is nice and vivid, the aromas of red fruits with a point of sweet and balsamic very well defined and pleasant. Nevertheless, its consistency and body are below standard. In the mouth, the taste is ephemeral, as well as the persistence. In conclusion a wine suited to support a complete meal, but with expectations and price of a medium-high level. It has not a proper soul.

Official website: www.vinscasabianca.fr