Kim Marcus` Recommended Languedoc

Kim Marcus’ Recommended Languedoc-Roussillon Wines
For complete reviews, see the Buying Guide of this or previous issues or www.winespectator.com.
An alphabetical listing of all wines tasted for this report begins on page 250 of this issue’s Buying Guide.
TOP WINES
WINE
TOP VALUES
SCORE
PRICE
94
$65
GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc
La Clape l’Hospitalitas 2003
93
$65
92
$22
92
$26
92
$19
91
$16
91
$29
91
$20
91
$35
91
$15
90
$20
90
$18
Powerful, with an aroma of spiced meats. Red plum, mincemeat and spice flavors. Cinnamon and berry on the finish.
87
$11
87
$11
87
$10
87
$8
87
$9
TORTOISE CREEK Syrah Vin de Pays d’Oc Les Amoureux 2004 87
$9
DOMAINE LA CROIX BELLE Vin de Pays des
Côtes de Thongue Le Champ du Coq 2003
Strong backbone and purity to this medium-bodied red. Dark
plum, mineral and smoke flavors dominate.
Meat, cherry, berry and spice elements dominate, with some
mocha notes on the finish.
Assertive and flavorful, with plenty of smoke, dark plum
and herb flavors.
Bright and supple red, with flavors of ripe strawberry, plum
and berry. Cassis and spice on the finish.
Ripe dark fruit flavors dominate this medium- to full-bodied
red, with lovely chocolate pudding notes, and smoky elements.
Fresh-tasting Syrah, redolent of blueberries, cherries and
white pepper. Well-balanced and tasty.
85
$9
CHÂTEAU DE JAU Vin de Pays d’Oc Le Jaja de Jau
Black Label 2003
85
$9
85
$9
Shows a nice crispness, with pretty red plum and currant
flavors and subtle Asian spice notes on the finish.
90
$16
Almost Chablis-like in its minerality, with flavors of grapefruit, lime and sea salt. Smoke and anise on the finish.
DOMAINE MAGELLAN Syrah-Grenache Vin de Pays des
Côtes de Thongue Vieilles Vignes 2003
$11
Clean, fresh and lively, with pretty cherry and spice notes
and a finish filled with berry and smoke.
Lovely aromas of violet, dark cherry and spice, with flavors
to match. Ripe and full-bodied, with plenty of character.
DOMAINE MAGELLAN Grenache Blanc Vin de Pays des
Côtes de Thongue Vieilles Vignes 2003
88
Bright and well-crafted, with up-front flavors of raspberry,
nectarine and cherry and nicely layered spice notes.
LES JAMELLES Syrah Vin de Pays d’Oc 2003
Aromas and flavors of sandalwood, red plum, raspberry, smoke
and leather, with a lively finish filled with pepper and spice.
CHÂTEAU DE LANCYRE Coteaux du Languedoc
Pic St.-Loup Vieilles Vignes 2001
$13
CHÂTEAU DE PENA Vin de Pays des Pyrénées-Orientales
Cuvée de Peña 2003
Concentrated and balanced, with plum, boysenberry and cassis flavors; chocolate mousse and black truffle on the finish.
GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière
Château Laville Bertrou 2003
88
CHÂTEAU MASSAMIER LA MIGNARDE Vin de Pays des
Coteaux de Peyriac Cuvée des Oliviers 2003
Power and concentration to flavors of sandalwood, dried
cherry and plum confit.
CHÂTEAU STE.-EULALIE Minervois La Livinière
La Cantilène 2003
$11
Lively and fruity, with delicious raspberry and milk chocolate
flavors that linger on the broad finish. A nice quaff.
LE GRAND NOIR Cabernet-Shiraz Vin de Pays d’Oc
(Black Sheep) 2003
Full-bore and robust, with loads of beef, peat, mineral and
bacon fat. Structured and balanced, with a hint of elegance.
PRIEURÉ DE ST.-JEAN DE BÉBIAN Coteaux du
Languedoc 2001
88
Exotic aromas of spice and smoke are followed by dense, dark
plum flavors. Dark chocolate notes enliven the finish.
GUILHEM DURAND Syrah Vin de Pays d’Hauterive
Vieilles Vignes 2003
Rich and ripe, with luscious fruit flavors. Blackberry, strawberry and dark plum with plenty of smoke and spice.
CHÂTEAU DE PENA Côtes du Roussillon-Villages
Réserve C 2001
$15
DOMAINE MIQUEL Syrah Vin de Pays d’Oc 2003
Firm and intense, with plenty of stuffing. This has a gamy,
fruity aroma and layers of plum, dark cherry, smoke and spice.
CHÂTEAU DE LANCYRE Coteaux du Languedoc
Pic St.-Loup Grande Cuvée 2001
89
A light- to medium-bodied Syrah. Elegant, with delicious
dried cherry and smoke flavors and notes of underbrush.
Intense and powerful, with loads of licorice and black fruit
flavors, including cherry, berry and currant.
CHÂTEAU COUPE ROSES Minervois Cuvée Vignals 2003
$12
PAUL JEUNE Counoise Vin de Pays du Gard
Domaine Monpertuis Vignoble de la Ramière 2003
Delicious, supple and full-bodied, with amazing purity to rich
flavors of dark plum, blackberry and kirsch.
MAS DES CHIMÈRES Coteaux du Languedoc 2002
90
CHÂTEAU D’OUPIA Minervois 2003
CHÂTEAU DU DONJON Minervois Cuvée Tradition 2003
Savory spice aroma leads to a full palate of dark cherry, mocha
and cardamom. Espresso and dark chocolate on the finish.
CHÂTEAU MARIS Grenache Minervois La Livinière
Old Vine 2003
PRICE
ELISABETH & BRIGITTE JEANJEAN Coteaux du Languedoc
Devois des Agneaux d’Aumelas 2001
An extracted, exotic style, with aromas of sandalwood and
olive and layers of gorgeous red and black fruit flavors with
licorice, smoke and bacon fat notes.
GÉRARD BERTRAND Coteaux du Languedoc
La Clape Château l’Hospitalet La Reserve 2003
SCORE
Muscular, with a meaty aroma and an intense array of blackberry and olive flavors, filled with mocha and espresso notes.
Massive and concentrated, with meaty, decadent aromas and
loads of dark plum, dark cherry, blackberry and cassis flavors.
Medium-grained tannins and a rich, spicy finish.
GÉRARD BERTRAND Minervois La Livinière Le Viala 2003
WINE
J. & F. LURTON Sauvignon Blanc Vin de Pays de
Côtes du Tarn Les Fumées Blanches 2004
Pleasant white with apple, mango and citrus flavors. This is
a good, medium-bodied rendition of Sauvignon.
90
$16