Aged cheese in Languedoc

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Domaine de l'Aigle's flagship Chardonnay from the highest south-facing clay-limestone parcel. Decanter-rated as one to watch among biodynamic Chardonnays.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Fruity · Rustic

Syrah-Grenache from altitude vines at 300-400m on Faugères schist. Balsamic and herbal lift; Syrah's strength tempered by Grenache's generosity.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Refreshing

Centenarian Carignan-led cuvée at Mas Lou, with Lledoner Pelut reinforcing the matrix. Crisp red fruit and mineral lift; one of the freshest Faugères reds.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Bold

High-end Corbieres-Boutenac of Ollieux Romanis from manually-harvested grapes; Carignan-led with Grenache and Mourvedre, structured for long ageing.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

The estate red of Mas Jullien, drawing from the village vineyards around Jonquieres; mid-weight Languedoc with garrigue depth, fine grain and a savoury finish.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Refreshing

Roussanne-Marsanne-Grenache Blanc from Bardi d'Alquier. Partial barrel-fermentation with lees stirring; saline, textured Faugères white.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Fruity

Old-vine Carignan-Grenache-Mourvèdre from Brigitte Chevalier's organic Faugères vineyards at 300 metres. Elegant, fresh, mineral-driven.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Syrah-led Pic Saint-Loup entry red blending young-vine Hortus fruit with selected lots from neighbouring growers. Built for five-year drinking.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Syrah-Mourvèdre cuvée from Château Coujan's calcareous parcels. Peppery notes and leather; structured Saint-Chinian.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Sunny Pic Saint-Loup Syrah-led red, partly oak-aged. Spicy, peppery, supple - built for the dinner table rather than the cellar.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Refreshing

Six-grape Languedoc white from Saint Martin; partial barrel-fermentation builds textural depth. Retail around €14-20 across French independents.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Four-grape Languedoc red from Saint Martin. Approachable, garrigue-driven; retail around €14-20 across French independents.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

Wild Syrah-led Berlou schist cuvée; a micro-production of about 1,200 bottles in the best vintages. Sweet spice from the Orient and the New World.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Elegant

Syrah-Grenache from Lascaux's calcareous Pic Saint-Loup plots. Carra (the pre-Roman word for stone) honours the limestone underfoot.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Syrah-led flagship of Ollier-Taillefer, four-grape blend. Aged in French oak with only 15% new wood to preserve terroir over wood character.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Syrah-led mid-tier Saint-Chinian from Mas Champart's argilo-calcareous Bousquet plateau. Precise and controlled style; rewards 90 RVF points.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Rustic

La Clape four-variety red of Pech-Celeyran with vegetal aromas of rosemary, laurel and rockrose; ripe red and dark fruit.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Bold

Mourvedre-based prestige La Clape of Pech-Celeyran with Syrah and Grenache; emphasis on garrigue and pine notes from the coastal massif terroir.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Syrah-Mourvèdre-Grenache from selected Faugères schist plots at 250-350m. Velvety, deep, powerful but fresh. Cistus refers to the rock-rose plant emblematic of the schist garrigue.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Mas Champart's flagship cuvee since 2000: 65% Mourvedre from massale selection originating at Domaine Tempier (Bandol), blended with 70-110 year-old Carignans and Grenache, aged 85% in demi-muid.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Rustic

Copa Santa hails from the historic Méjanelle terroir near Montpellier - Syrah-Grenache aged in barrel for the long haul.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Elegant

Syrah-led prestige cuvée from a legendary parcel at Montpeyroux; velvety with vanilla, cocoa and spice notes from 10 months of barrique ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Anniversary cuvée marking four centuries of Pennautier history (the estate dates to 1620); Atlantic-Mediterranean blend with extended barrique ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Premium Minervois-La Liviniere cuvée of Domaine du Petit Causse in Felines-Minervois; delicately vanilla-and-toasted aromas with structured Mediterranean fruit.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Rustic

Carignan-led flagship of Voulte-Gasparets, named for a family ancestor. Rich expressive nose with prune and spice, peppered garrigue notes; ample, balanced palate with silky tannins.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Bold

The flagship 'mythic' cuvée of Borie de Maurel; Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre with structured tannin and long ageing potential.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Premium Minervois cuvée of Oupia from a selection of old-vine best plots, aged 20 months in Bordeaux barriques; more elegant and restrained than Tradition with similar dark berries and spicy aromas.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

Gabrielle de Spinola is Château Coujan's barrel-aged flagship Saint-Chinian. Syrah-led with Grenache and Mourvèdre; long-aged in French oak.

Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Hortus's barrel-fermented flagship white, a five-grape blend that builds layers of stone fruit and creamy oak over Pic Saint-Loup limestone minerality.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Rustic

Mourvedre-Syrah from Hortus's two opposing terroirs at the foot of the limestone cliffs. The Orliac family's flagship cuvee at Domaine de l'Hortus since the early 1990s.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Rich, full-bodied Chenin Blanc with extreme elegance and distinctive minerality. The most expensive Chenin Blanc in Limoux. Limoux is the only AOC Chenin in the South of France.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Old-vine Carignan-led entry red from biodynamic icon Didier Barral. From 40-70-year-old vines on Faugères schist; aged unoaked in cement and steel.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Cébène's flagship and the only cuvée to age in oak. Mourvèdre-led for the long haul, from north-facing Faugères schist parcels.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Biodynamic white blend named for the umbel flowers (fennel, carrots) of the vineyards and Rimbaud's 'Vowels'; Roussanne-led Languedoc white with mineral depth.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Elegant

Ruby with intense tiled reflections, garrigue aromas, jammy and spicy notes with subtle hints of black fruit and gingerbread; fine elegant tannins and vivacity.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Elegant

Grand Vin red of Hospitalet from the best plots of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache Noir; each variety vinified separately and blended in February before 12-month barrel ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

Mid-tier biodynamic Faugères from Léon Barral, named Jadis (formerly). Carignan-Syrah-Grenache from schist; cement and old oak. A cellar wine in the making.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Refreshing

An unoaked Syrah-Grenache built around fruit, freshness and finesse, the three watchwords of Mas Bruguière. Drink within seven years.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Grand cuvée of Pennautier in AOC Cabardes; an Atlantic-Mediterranean Cabernet-Merlot-Syrah-Grenache blend with elegant full-bodied palate, red and black fruit, undergrowth and tobacco.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Mas Conscience's lead Terrasses du Larzac cuvée, drawing on the oldest Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault plots of the estate.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Balanced and expressive top cuvée of Aupilhac; cinnamon, white pepper and ginger notes with raspberry and gooseberry fruit. Built to age.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Rustic

Gold-medalled upper-tier Terrasses du Larzac of Mas Conscience; four-variety blend with Mourvedre adding structure.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Elegant

La Clape's Mediterranean overlook expressed in Negly's Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre-Carignan blend; structured fruit with garrigue depth from the coastal massif.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

The 'feminine' Minervois-La Liviniere of Borie de Maurel; elegant Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre with finesse and structured fruit.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Rustic

Mas Bruguière's flagship Pic Saint-Loup red. Syrah-led with Mourvèdre lending structure, aged in French oak. Built for the long haul.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Grenache-led tribute to the family home's yellow facade. Supple, syrupy, with a fine spice and leather register from 15 months in foudres and Burgundian barrels.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

La Part des Anges (the angels' share) is Grangette's oak-aged Picpoul. Aromatic complexity from barrel ageing; preserved lemon, acacia, vanilla touch.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Flagship Terrasses du Larzac of La Peira, a 60/40 Syrah-Grenache blend; full-bodied with smoked black fruit, ground pepper, graphite, garrigue, lavender and truffle notes, sweet integrated tannin and a long mineral finish per producer tasting notes spanning 2005-2020 vintages.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The prestige Terrasses du Larzac of Sauvageonne; Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre selection from the highest-quality parcels with extended barrique ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

Syrah-led flagship of Bergerie du Capucin, aged 16-18 months in 400-litre barrels. Generous and structured, with dark fruit, vanilla and cocoa register.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Grenache-dominated Minervois-La Liviniere of Chateau Maris with 15% Syrah and a splash of Carignan; minerality and black/blue fruit with floral lift.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Grenache-led second wine of La Peira with 25% Syrah and smaller parts of Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan; fragrant, fine, structured.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Old-vine Carignan-led entry red of the Bowens; a blend of Carignan, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Vinified in carbonic maceration for some parcels.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Elegant

Syrah-dominant cuvée from Cazeneuve's clay-limestone scree soils. Ample and balanced; rewards 2-5 years of cellaring before optimal drinking.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Rustic

Domaine de la Vieille's barrel-aged Pic Saint-Loup, named for the Visigoth cemetery discovered on the parcel. Ripe fruit, leather and menthol; built for the cellar.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Festive · Elegant

Antech's premium Legacy Extra Brut Crémant with Pinot Noir adding red-fruit lift. Extended lees ageing builds creamy texture.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Savoury

Pure Syrah of Domaine Pierre Cros aged 18 months in barrel; intense ripe fruit transporting through eucalyptus and cedar with delicate vanilla notes. Coup de Coeur Hachette seven times.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Syrah-led cuvée from Les Bancèls - the old Occitan word for the terraces. North-facing 1ha vineyard blended with south-facing Mourvèdre. The symbol of Cébène.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

80% Syrah from old altitude vines on Faugères schist. Aged 18 months in barrel with 30-40% new oak. Spicy, structured, classic.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Syrah-led red from Cazeneuve's hard limestone parcels. Built for early drinking with a three to four year ageing arc.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Entry-level red of Ollier-Taillefer. Appealing, flavourful, schist-driven; the everyday Faugères of the estate.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Syrah-led cuvée on Crès terroir - round pebbles with neutral pH, excellent draining quality. Built for the cellar.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

The entry cuvée of Olivier Jullien, balanced and approachable young with garrigue lift and silky tannins; the most affordable entry to the Mas Jullien range.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Radiant Coteaux du Languedoc expression of the hills around Montpellier. Limestone soils on the foothills of the Larzac plateau; north winds keep the wine fresh.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

The flagship red of Château de Lascaux. Syrah-led Pic Saint-Loup magnified through extended barrel ageing. Built for the cellar.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Grenache-led Saint-Chinian from biodynamic schist parcels at altitude on steep hillsides. Velvety mouthfeel despite concentration and character.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

A confidential cuvée trio of single-plot Syrah selections from three distinctive Lascaux parcels. Limited production; magnified plot expression.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

Grenache-dominant cuvée from harsh limestone-clay soils at Borie la Vitarèle. Mineral, powerful, but with discreet tannin structure.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Rustic

Old-vine Carignan-Grenache from Blandine's Tonillières plot, planted to 60-year-old Carignan. Concrete and old-oak ageing preserves freshness and old-vine depth.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Three-grape Limoux Blanc from the Roquetaillade terroir at the foothills of the Pyrenees. Old vines (50 years) and younger plantings; exceptional ageing potential.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Contemplative

Old-vine (1911-planted) pure Carignan from Clos du Gravillas - Lo Vielh means 'the old one'; smoky, liquorice-tinged and structured for long ageing.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Fruity

Saint-Chinian Classic from La Madura: Grenache-led with the four traditional appellation varieties. Aromatic complexity and supple tannin.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

La Madura's barrel-fermented white. Roussanne-led four-grape blend; saline, layered, fine textural depth.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Flagship Grand Vin from La Madura, blending Syrah-Mourvèdre-Grenache from the estate's best parcels. Bordeaux-trained Cyril Bourgne's Bordelaise approach to Saint-Chinian.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

Prestige cuvée of Domaine Canet Valette, named after the medieval Arab poet Omar Khayyam who celebrated wine. Concentrated, spice-led, structured.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

Top Corbieres cuvée of Domaine Sainte Croix made from old-vine Carignan, Grenache and Syrah; built for long ageing with depth and savoury core.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium acidity · Savoury · Contemplative

Olivier Jullien's white is a field blend of old-vine Languedoc whites with Chenin; saline, savoury and built to age unusually long for the region.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Mid-tier Mas Olivier Faugères, the cooperative's barrel-aged cuvée. Generous and warm with smoky and vanilla notes from a year-long barrel ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Rustic

Top-tier Mas Olivier Grande Réserve, the cooperative's flagship Faugères. Extended barrel-ageing; structured and warm.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Aime Guibert's pioneering Bordeaux-style red from the Gassac valley, ~80% Cabernet Sauvignon with twenty other rare varieties. The wine that built the IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Sister premium cuvée to Cuvee des Barons at Chateau d'Oupia, sharing the same Syrah-Carignan blend from old-vine best plots with extended barrique ageing.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Contemplative

Old-vine Carignan from Faugères schist, named Nos Racines (our roots). Reflects the heritage of Carignan as the soul of the appellation.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Bright light-golden flagship white of Ollieux Romanis (previously called Cuvee Prestige); pure nose, slightly exotic with ripe apricot, yellow plum and honey.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Rives-Blanques' showpiece Burgundian-style Chardonnay. Picked from south-facing high-elevation parcels at Cépie; partial oak fermentation.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Fruity

Single-varietal Pinot Noir from Mouscaillo. Combines Languedoc strength with Pinot Noir freshness; ages well for years.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

Old-vine Minervois-La Liviniere of Clos du Gravillas; Carignan-led with Syrah and Cinsault from organically-farmed parcels.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Rustic

Old-vine Carignan-based blend from a vineyard whose Carignan vines celebrated their 100th birthday in 2004; rich confit fruit and vanilla with garrigue.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Savoury

The historic estate cuvée of Mas Cal Demoura (formerly L'Infidele, renamed in 2015); a five-variety Languedoc blend from across the estate's parcels, mid-weight and structured.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Contemplative

Biodynamic Terret-dominant white from Domaine Léon Barral. Now sought after by orange-wine lovers; Languedoc heritage variety on Faugères schist.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

Pennautier's altitude-driven IGP red that previews the Cabardes signature - a blend of Atlantic (Cabernet, Merlot) and Mediterranean (Syrah, Grenache) varieties.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Sieur d'Arques' Toques et Clochers single-terroir Chardonnay (the Haute-Vallee parcel of the four-terroir auction series). The Haute-Vallee plot is the highest-altitude, coolest-climate of the four.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Five-grape blend traditional to Saint-Chinian. Refined, concentrated, with silky tannin and garrigue lift. Long maceration (70-90 days).

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Savoury

Domaine Léon Barral's flagship cuvée. 80% Mourvèdre dominant from 15-30 year-old vines on 4.3 hectares of schist; aged in barrel (10% new). Built for two decades.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

Velours (velvet) is l'Aigueliere's Terrasses du Larzac flagship; Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre with the namesake velvet texture from barrique.