The Beautiful South. Languedoc - Roussillon. Tastings from this list. Hampshire: Thursday 11th April, pm

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1 The Beautiful South Languedoc - Roussillon Tastings from this list Hampshire: Thursday 11th April, pm At Bury Court Barn, Bentley, near Farnham, GU10 5LY Please let us know if you would like to attend, and bring guests London: Thursday 16th May, pm At the Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon, 6 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PD Please let us know if you would like to attend, and bring guests

2 The Beautiful South - Languedoc-Roussillon Never again will I plan a trip to the Languedoc and Roussillon in January. It s just not sane to drive 2,000 miles under the threat of snow: snow several inches deep in the mountains of the Hautes Corbières, snow right along the Mediterranean coast, and snow (and -9 ) on the return journey through Champagne. But my latest trip brought home to me what a distinctive region it is: the vineyards are so much more rugged than those of Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire, or even the Rhône, the vignerons seem more tied to the land and individualistic (for the first time I saw cattle and horses grazing in a vineyard in Saint-Chinian - see p.7 - with the dual benefit of controlling the grass and fertilizing the sparse soil); and the cuisine more robust (a wild boar daube with earthy mushrooms was particularly memorable). It s not trite to say that many of the region s wines, especially those from the hillside appellations on degraded rock soils, reflect the landscape and its people: there is a wildness yet integrity to them which is utterly distinctive. We have rearranged the list slightly again this year. All the rosés are shown opposite as we wish to believe that spring is arriving soon. Secondly, we present all the IGP wines over pages 4-6. This is partly to highlight daily drinking wines: as a rule IGPs tend to be cheaper than appellation wines, although top examples rightly command a good premium over, for example, basic Minervois or Corbières. As a further broad generalisation they are usually wines which are absolutely ready to drink, and not for keeping. From page 6 to the back cover we cover the appellation wines. This is arguably our best ever selection of domaines, a distillation of all the visits and tasting we have done in the Languedoc-Roussillon over the last 13 years. These men and women - the latter hugely involved at five of our domaines - produce genuinely fine wine at non fine wine prices, and almost without exception they cultivate their vines with a minimal uses of chemicals, even if they are not certified organic. For red wine in particular this remains one of the best value regions in the world. Picking favourite wines is always hard - but particular highlights on my visit in January were the tastings with Thierry Navarre in Roquebrun and with Brigitte Bile at Domaine Depeyre. Simon Taylor - March 2013 Mixed Cases BS113 The Beautiful South (4 whites, 1 rosé and 7 reds) Here is your chance to taste one bottle of each of the twelve wines listed below, making up a sampler case discounted by over 10%. This will introduce you to some of our favourites, and encourage you to come back and buy more of them Croix Belle, Caringole Blanc (p.4) 2011 Begude, Chardonnay, Amélie (p.4) 2010 Belles Pierres, Coteaux du Languedoc, Les Clauzes de Jo Blanc (p.7) 2011 Creyssels, Picpoul de Pinet (p.8) 2012 Domaine du Grand Arc, Corbières Rosé, La Tour Fabienne (p.3) 2012 Preignes Le Vieux, Syrah, IGP Pays d Oc (p.5) 2010 Domaine La Croix Belle, Le Champ des Calades, IGP (p.6) 2010 Faugères Rouge, Les Léonides (p.8) 2010 Navarre, Saint-Chinian, Le Laouzil (p.9) 2011 La Grave, Minervois Rouge, Tristan et Julien (p.9) 2010 Grand Arc, Corbières Rouge, Reserve (p.10) 2011 Fontanel, Côtes du Roussillon Rouge (p.11) The following mixed cases include two bottles of each of the six wines listed, with a discount of at least 7.5% BS213 Languedoc Taster (Three whites and three reds) Preignes Le Vieux, Reserve Blanc, IGP Coteaux du Libron (p.4) 2012 Domaine La Grave, IGP des Hauts de Badens (p.4) 2011 Croix Belle, Caringole Blanc, IGP Côtes de Thongue (p.4) 2011 Les Vignerons Réunis, Carignan, Vieilles Vignes IGP (p.5) 2011 Comtesse de Marion, Merlot, IGP Pays d Oc (p.5) 2011 La Grave, Minervois Rouge, Tristan et Julien (p.9) BS313 Med Reds (Six reds) Comtesse de Marion, Merlot (p.5) 2011 Les Hauts de Median, Petit Verdot (p.5) 2011 Domaine Fontanel, IGP Côtes Catalanes (p.6) 2010 La Croix Belle, Le Champ des Calades, IGP Côtes de Thongue (p.6) 2011 La Grave, Minervois Rouge, Tristan et Julien (p.9) 2010 Grand Arc, Corbières Rouge, Reserve (p.10) BS413 IGP Freedom Case (Two whites, and four reds) A dozen to showcase unusual grapes and blends across the region 2011 La Petite Source, Le Clos, Viognier, IGP Pays d Oc (p.4) 2011 Domaine Begude, L Exotique, IGP Haute Vallée de l Aude (p.5) 2011 Domaine Fontanel, IGP Côtes Catalanes (p.6) 2010 Domaine La Croix Belle, Le Champ des Calades, IGP Côtes de Thongue (p.6) 2012 Thierry Navarre, Vin d Oeillades, Vin de France (p.6) 2011 Domaine Begude Pinot Noir, IGP Haute Vallée de l Aude (p.6) BS513 L-R Terroirs (Two whites and four reds) Belles Pierres, Coteaux du Languedoc, Les Clauzes de Jo Blanc (p.7) 2011 Météore, Faugères Blanc, Les Léonides (p.8) Météore, Faugères Rouge, Les Léonides (p.8) 2010 Navarre, Saint-Chinian, Le Laouzil (p.9) 2010 Grand Arc, Corbières, Cuvée de Quarante (p.10) 2011 Depeyre, Côtes du Roussillon, (p.12) BS613 Arc of Appellations (Six reds) Belles Pierres, Coteaux du Languedoc, St. Georges d Orques, Chant des Ames (p.7) 2010 Mas des Brousses, Coteaux du Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac (p.7) 2009 Météore, Faugères Rouge, Les Orionides (p.8) 2010 Navarre, Saint-Chinian, Cuvée Olivier (p.9) 2010 Fontanel, Côtes de Roussillon Villages, Tautavel, Le Prieuré (p.11) 2009 Depeyre, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Rubia Tinctoria (p.12) 2

3 Rosé I write this list with the temperature still hovering around zero at noon. But Easter usually marks a change in the weather, and there s nothing like the first lunch of the year outside, with the birds singing merrily and the first chilled bottle of rosé on the table. So here, right at the front of the list, is our selection of the rosés of the south. Over our decade in business we have seen sales of these wines grow exponentially: we know you enjoy them and will kick yourself soon if you don t have a few bottles at hand when the sun does come out. Contents Page 2 Introduction; Mixed Cases 3 Rosé 4-6 Indication Géographique Protégée (for Vin de Pays) 7 Domaine Belles Pierres; Mas des Brousses 8 Creyssels; Domaine du Météore 9 Domaine Navarre; Château La Grave 10 Domaine du Grand Arc 11 Domaine Fontanel 12 Domaine Depeyre 2012 Mas de Canal, Rosé, IGP Pays d Oc, 12.5 [Screwcap] Bottle 6.50 Case Code VIC512 From Grenache and Cinsaut, crafted in the popular Provençale style, i.e. pale salmon pink and lowish alcohol. Light scent of berries. A refreshing mouthful of strawberry and cranberry fruit, with a crisp finish. Nothing complicated, just a well-made, dry rosé perfect for regular consumption. Now Château La Grave Minervois Rosé, Expression, 13 Bottle 8.25 Case Code GRV412 This rosé, made largely from Syrah with Grenache, is always a real charmer, and is our best-selling rosé year after year. It has also just won a gold medal at the prestigious Concours Général in Paris. It unfailingly delivers splendid ripeness and intensity. Pale pink. Lifted red fruit aromas, perhaps riper than usual. An appealing gush of strawberry and raspberry, with the merest savoury hint. This is pleasingly gentle - it doesn t shout at you - and as such is a perfect all rounder, fruity enough to enjoy on its own but also dry enough for food. Now Preignes, Grenache Rosé, IGP Pays d Oc, 12.5 Bottle 8.50 Case Code PRF511 A pure Grenache rosé, showing all the appealing cherry and berry flavours of the grape. Star-bright, very pale salmon pink. A joyous nose redolent of summer pudding, with very ripe red currants and raspberries marking the palate. Assured weight and satiny texture: a delight. Drink this year 2012 Domaine du Grand Arc, Corbières Rosé, La Tour Fabienne, 14 Bottle 9.25 Case Code DGA512 This immediately looks like a startlingly different rosé. It s a vivid pink cherry colour, and Bruno Schenk explains the intensity of hue as reflecting his natural wine-making: in particular, by avoiding the use of sulphur in wine-making he preserves the true colour of the grapes. This is a blend of about 40% Syrah, 30% Cinsault, plus Grenache and a little Mourvèdre. Charming perfume: not just berries but floral notes too. Bright flavours of raspberry and cranberry, offering lots of freshness but also some weight. Such intensity of fruit, yet such finesse too. This dry rosé is splendid with a wide variety of food, from a salad lunch to spicy Thai prawns or grilled fish. Now Domaine du Météore, Faugères Rosé, Les Léonides, 13.5 Bottle 9.75 Case Code MET511 From Cinsaut and Grenache. Lovely salmon pink. Delicately perfumed, fresh and mineral, a basket of red fruits allied to a finesse which derives from the schistous soils. This finishes dry, with enough stuffing to accompany food well. Drink this year 3

4 Indication Géographique Protégée (for Vin de Pays) The Europe wide initiative to rename Vin de Pays as Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) is now largely implemented in the Languedoc. Whilst appellation wines tend to be blends of approved, traditional grape varieties, IGPs are often pure single varietals, from Chardonnay, Viognier and Vermentino to Merlot, Carignan, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Petit Verdot. Secondly, they can be blends which include non-local varieties: such as the Merlot included in the Chasseur des Brousses or Fontanel s IGP Côtes Catalanes; or the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay appearing in several of the whites. Third, they may be very confusingly labelled, as growers can name their wines in any one of three ways: from either a very narrowly defined local IGP; or IGP of their local department; or IGP Pays d Oc, wine from anywhere in a huge region. So the Preigne Le Vieux Reserve Blanc listed below from near Vias, could be labelled either as it is, IGP Coteaux de Libran; or IGP de l Hérault; or IGP Pays d Oc. There s no logic: just because a wine is labelled IGP Pays d Oc, it doesn t have to be a big brand blended from all over the south as it could be from a single vineyard! Finally, some growers or grapes are outside the system altogether, so Thierry Navarre s red from the rare Oeillade Noire grape (see p.6) is labelled Vin de France. White 2011 Mas de Canal, Blanc, IGP Pays d Oc, 12.5 [Screwcap] Bottle 6.50 Case Code VIC711 The Mas de Canal wines come from vineyards owned by the extended Vic family, mainly around Beziers. This is a prettily floral house white, based on Vermentino (= Rolle) and Chardonnay, with other varieties. Citrus and lightly floral aroma. Fresh, easy drinking mouthful showing peachy fruit, nice weight and zesty acidity. The 2012 vintage will follow shortly. Drink this year 2012 Preignes Le Vieux, Reserve Blanc, IGP Coteaux du Libron, 12.5 Bottle 7.50 Case Code PRF812 The Reserve white is a perfumed and elegant wine again based on Vermentino, with other varieties including a dash of aromatic Viognier and Muscat. Such an open and attractive scent. Zippy, enticing gush of lime, stone fruit and melon, nicely rounded and medium bodied. Attractive, ripe fruit finish. Now Domaine La Grave, IGP Hauts de Badens, 12 Bottle 7.75 Case Code GRV812 Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc with Grenache Blanc and some old local varieties. Very scented nose. Spearminty, fresh fruit character - pears and lemon zest - Bright and easy drinking. Finishes clean and dry - a refreshing, lowish alcohol wine for when the weather warms up. Now Domaine La Croix Belle, Caringole Blanc, Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc, IGP Côtes de Thongue, 13 Bottle 7.95 Case Code CRO811 The Côtes de Thongue, lying between Beziers and the Faugères appellation, is famous for high quality IGP wines. This is a Chardonnay-based blend, lifted by about 20% of sprightly Sauvignon Blanc and a little Muscat and Viognier; a mix which makes perfect sense in the warm south. Scent of ripe pear with floral notes. There s enough ripe melon and citrus fruit here to give this wine a real depth of flavour and length. Drink this year 2011 Preignes, Vermentino, IGP Pays d Oc, 13 Bottle 8.25 Case Code PRF711 From 25 year old vines of the grape also known as Rolle in Provence, this is left on its lees for a few months to develop weight and flavour. Lightly floral aromas, with cream and a hint of pine. Open and fruity, but also rather Italianate in its layers of texture and understated herbiness. The 2012 vintage will follow at Now Domaine Begude, Chardonnay, Amélie, IGP Pays d Oc, 12.5 [Screwcap] Bottle 8.50 Case Code BEG111 Englishman James Kinglake continues to drive improvements at Begude, in the foothills of the Pyrenees near Limoux. The estate is now in the process of achieving certification for organic viticulture. The latest vintage of his Chardonnay is as bright and fruity as ever, and makes many lesser Mâcon Chardonnays look very ordinary indeed. Tangerine nose with a hint of white flowers. Crisply green-fruited, apple and lime, but also nicely rounded. (The 10% of Chenin Blanc brings a little weight). Now Domaine La Croix Belle, Le Champ des Lys, IGP Côtes de Thongue, 13.5 Bottle 8.95 Case Code CRO711 Grenache Blanc and Viognier with a little Chardonnay. A mildly toasty, spicy note on the nose (a tiny proportion goes into barrel) is followed by intense grapefruit, with texture, and subtle notes of grape seeds and almonds. This makes a wonderful aperitif, but is perhaps most at home accompanying pork or chicken. Now La Petite Source, Le Clos, Viognier, IGP Pays d Oc, 13 [Screwcap] Bottle 9.50 Case Code VIC611 A fresh unoaked style of Viognier. Rich aromas, evocative of the Mediterranean. Lively but with attractive weight, with citrussy fruit and a pretty apricot element. A perfect aperitif, or try with seafood. Drink this year 4

5 2011 Domaine Begude, L Exotique, IGP Haute Vallée de l Aude, 13 [Screwcap] Bottle Case Code BEG311 Here we offer a naughty little experiment by James Kinglake at Begude. Named L Exotique, the back label promises cepages rares and it s actually made from 80% Grüner Veltliner (an Austrian variety, a strictly illegal interloper in this part of the world) and 20% Chardonnay, the latter barrel fermented in large old barrels. This seems fresher and livelier than many Austrian Grüners, but has the expected texture and character, with a twist of white pepper and a ripe citrus palate. Fascinating. Now Domaine du Météore, Viognier, IGP, Pays de l Hérault, 14 Bottle Case Code MET612 A welcome return to our list, this comes from the estate s highest and coolest vineyards up against the plateau of the Cevennes. The scent is really open and attractive, all fresh apricots and acacia flower, and those stone-fruit and floral qualities follow onto the palate. It s beautifully ripe, lightly honeyed and shows that appealing Viognier weight and texture. A classy example. Now-2014 Red 2011 Mas de Canal, Rouge, IGP Pays d Oc, 12.5 [Screwcap] Bottle 6.50 Case Code VIC411 Largely from Grenache, with Merlot, Cinsaut and a little Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on the plains near Beziers, this wine has become much more polished in recent vintages. Bramblefruited but with a lighter, raspberry accent too. Creamy, with a hint of tannin; a smooth easy-drinking style. Now Les Vignerons Réunis, Carignan Vieilles Vignes, IGP Pays d Hérault, 12.5 [Screwcap] Bottle 6.75 Case Code AGW611 This Carignan, from vines averaging about 40 years old, has become a big favourite here: who would have thought that we would ever sell pallets of wine made from Carignan, that much maligned grape? This skilfully balances the vibrant fruit and acidity of the variety with subtle oaking and a hint of juicy sweetness. Flagrant purple. Brambly aromas. Delicious gush of ripe black cherries. Light, vibrantly fruity, and very winning. Supple enough to be enjoyed on its own yet with plenty of stuffing. Perfect for parties. Now-2014 Wine boxes 5 litre boxes (the equivalent of 6 2/3 bottles), each with its own simple tap: perfect for parties, barbecues, cooking wine, or just keeping in the kitchen for the odd glass They last well over a month once opened. Both come from the Vic family, and the wine is the same wine as in the Mas de Canal bottles (see above and below). Note: a box can be included in a mixed case in place of 4 bottles 2011 Le Petit Pont Blanc, IGP Pays d Oc, litre bag in box Code BIB611 Drink this year Le Petit Pont, Rouge, IGP Pay d Oc, litre bag in box Code BIB212 Drink this year Comtesse de Marion, Merlot, IGP Pays d Oc, 13 [Screwcap] Bottle 7.25 Case Code VIC311 The Vic family s Merlot has won huge praise and many repeat orders from satisfied customers. It s a wine which always shows attractive typicity: aromas of sweet plum with a leafy touch, followed by a supple and lightly creamy, berried palate with barely discernible tannins. Now Preignes Le Vieux, Syrah, IGP Pays d Oc, 13 Bottle 7.50 Case Code PRF112 This refined and pure Syrah is new to our list - in style it s worlds away from an inky Australian example, rather crafted in a light and fragrant northern Rhône idiom. Light, black-fruited nose of varietal typicity. Lightly blackcurranty, ripe but also crisp and fresh, with minimal tannins and surprising grace for a wine at this price. This will really go down well when the weather improves. Gentle and charming. Now Domaine La Croix Belle, Caringole Rouge, Syrah-Carignan-Merlot, IGP Côtes de Thongue, 13.5 Bottle 7.95 Case Code CRO111 Largely from Syrah, Carignan and Merlot, and crafted to be supple and fruity - you can serve this cool in summer. Attractively open and inviting aromas. Such a vital mouthful, with generous cherry and plum fruit, ripe and balanced, backed by the merest smidge of tannin. A versatile wine which is easy to drink on its own or with food. The 2012 follows. Now Les Hauts de Median, Petit Verdot, IGP Pays d Oc, 13 Bottle 7.95 Case Code VIC211 This wine is crafted by Aurélie Trébuchon, Jérome Vic s wife, and it combines the excellent value characteristic of the Vic clan s wines with more sophisticated winemaking than most. Petit Verdot ripens late even in the Languedoc: the grapes for this wine are harvested as late as mid-october. Deeply hued. Savoury aromas, just a touch figgy. Light, blackcuranty mouthful, fresh, and sharp. A little spice and some rather classy aromatics really distinguish this wine from run-of-the-mill varietal examples. It s smooth and charming too. Now

6 2010 Domaine La Croix Belle, Le Champ du Coq, IGP Côtes de Thongue, 13.5 Bottle 8.95 Case Code CRO310 From just Syrah and Grenache, with a well judged use of toasty oak giving a classy sheen to the cassis fruit on the nose. A generous heart of ripe dark cherry, with spicy depth, finishing well. As ever this has elements of a New World fruit and oak cocktail, but shows a tad more restraint than in previous vintages. Now Domaine Fontanel, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Rouge, 14 Bottle 8.95 Case Code FON411 Pierre Fontaneil makes this great value wine from his young vines of Syrah and Grenache growing within the prestigious Côtes du Roussillon Villages appellation, supplemented with a little old vine Merlot and Cabernet. Dense chocolate and red fruit aromas. Supple, ripe and balanced, with black cherry and spice. Plenty of concentration too. Real wine. Now Mas des Brousses, Chasseur des Brousses, IGP Pays d Oc, 13 Bottle 9.25 Case Code MAB110 Chasseur is an old favourite here, named after the African bee-eater (= chasseur) which can be seen over the vines in summer. The blend is about 60% Merlot with Grenache and a little Cinsaut, a wine with Bordelais style from the garrigue, the herby scrub which surrounds the vineyards here. Soft deep ruby. Such a consistent nose on this wine: it always smells of black fruit lifted with herbs. Black plum and berries, very ripe - the fruit just attractively cooked. Juicy, with well integrated tannin structure, and a hint of liquorice. This is now drinking perfectly, offering interesting and classy drinking, so food-friendly. I was bowled over by the quality of this magnificent, fat, ripe, juicy Merlot, topped up with grenache and a touch of cinsaut, seductively scented with Christmas spice, Jane Macquitty, 50 best red wines for Christmas, The Times, Saturday, December 10th, Now Domaine La Croix Belle, Le Champ des Calades, IGP Côtes de Thongue, 13.5 Bottle 9.75 Case Code CRO210 From Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Mourvèdre and Merlot, given a Bordeaux-like year in barrel (1/3 new, 1/3 second fill, 1/3 third fill) this is a classy bottle at the price. Really smooth oak accents on nose, with cinnamon and spice on top of blackcurrant and briary fruit. The palate is equally polished, offering full-flavoured black fruit with hints of toast, pepper and liquorice. Now Thierry Navarre, Vin d Oeillades, Vin de France, 11.5 Bottle 9.95 Case Code NAV112 From the almost forgotten southern French Oeillade Noire grape which was historically valued for its ability to ripen early at lowish alcohol levels, a quality which we think has plenty to commend it now when so many wines are so high in alcohol. This wine has caught the eye of the Jancis Robinson team compiling the page on this variety for the Wine Grapes tome: Thierry Navarre...has recently started bottling a varietal wine - fruity and for early drinking, lightly chilled. We too think this will come into its own in summer, but it s worth a try now too. Perky scent of crushed fresh berries. Juicily red-fruited, strawberryish, ripe, crisp and rather delicious. Perfect with charcuterie. Now Domaine Begude Pinot Noir, IGP Haute Vallée de l Aude, 12 [Screwcap] Bottle Case Code BEG611 Made by English exile James Kinglake from his cool hillside vineyards in the Limoux: basically unoaked. Soft, pale hue. Smells Burgundian,with strawberry and cherry aromas. Such an attractively light Pinot, showing pretty cranberry and raspberry fruit. Both crisp and supple. This is very appealing served cool when the weather warms up. Now

7 Appellation Wines We now set out our estates in an arc approximately from north-east to south-west, from the vineyards of Belles Pierres amidst the woods just outside Montpellier to Fontanel and Depeyre s vines in the rugged hills north-west of Perpignan. Domaine Belles Pierres, St. Murviel les Montpellier, St. Georges d Orques Damien Coste and his father created Belles Pierres (literally beautiful stones ) in the hill-top village of St-Murviel, near St. Georges d Orques, in 1992, having taken their land out of the local co-operative. Here the grape skins take on the evanescent oils of the surrounding flowers and herbs - lavender, oregano, rosemary, thyme and bay - giving fascinating Mediterranean nuances to the wines. You only have to smell these wines to be transported there. The principal wines are named in homage to Damien s father, Joseph (a clauze is a short stone wall enclosing the fields). The strikingly unusual and distinctive oaked white is a wildly perfumed and exotically flavoured wine which can accompany strongly flavoured food. The red is a wine which shows that elusive scent and flavour of the garrigue, and develops earthy complexity with a year or two in bottle. To these we have added Latino d Oc, so named as Damien s wife is from central America; and we have also shipped the latest vintage of their top red, the marvellous Chant des Ames ( the song of the souls ), a concentrated, ageworthy red based on Syrah Languedoc, Les Clauzes de Jo Blanc, 14 Bottle Case Code BEL610 From 60% Roussanne with equal proportions of Viognier and Grenache, in old barrels. Bright lemon tinged with green. Such inviting aromas: subtle vanilla, exotic fruit - pineapple and peach - plus hints of cream and honey. Totally consistent on the palate, with the full-flavoured exoticism of the fruit counterbalanced by delicate notes of aniseed. The 2011 vintage will follow at Now Languedoc Rouge, Latino d Oc, 13.5 Bottle 9.25 Case Code BEL111 From Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, with just a little in old barrels. Honest, refreshing young wine, hedgerow-fruited, juicy, light and almost refreshing. Lively and moreish. Now Coteaux du Languedoc, St. Georges d Orques, Les Clauzes de Jo Rouge, 14 Bottle Case Code BEL311 About half Syrah, a third Grenache with Mourvèdre, all in old barrel. Brooding bramble and cassis aromas, spiked with clove. Juicy red and black fruit, mildly spicy, and shows (as so often) a liquorice note. Finishes really vigorously. Now Coteaux du Languedoc, St. Georges d Orques, Chant des Ames, 14 Bottle Case Code BEL410 About 4/5 Syrah, plus Grenache, generously oaked. Inky purple. Liqueur-like aromas of blackberry and raspberry. Powerful, bittersweet, damson character, dense and rich. Very ripe and fine tannins. Appealing aromatic hints of herbs and dried figs. Despite its power and vitality, this is surprisingly smooth and elegant, and it will age well too. Now-2017 Mas des Brousses, Puéchabon Terrasses du Larzac Brousses translates as bush, or brush; this is, literally, the farm in the brush. The domaine s plots of vines lie midst the rolling scrub-covered hills around Puéchabon and the pebble-strewn terrasses near the Hérault river. Tall Géraldine Combes (from a family who have inhabited Puéchabon, near Gignac, since 1525) juggles looking after three small boys with tending the vines. Husband Xavier Peyraud, grandson of the legendary Lucien Peyraud of Domaine Tempier, is the winemaker. Their first vintage was only in 1997, and some of their grapes still go off to the local co-operative. Their popular IGP wine, the Chasseur des Brousses, is listed on p.6. Their appellation wine, from the highly rated northern Languedoc sub-region of the Terrasses du Larzac, is a blend of about half and half Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged largely in old oak: this always seems to show some of the fragrance of this fairly high altitude land, fresh and pine-scented Coteaux du Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac, 14.5 Bottle Case Code MAB210 Dense black purple. A generous nose of rich fruit cake, and mocha spice. At once awesomely concentrated, yet elegantly balanced. A real melange des fruits noirs with spicy depth and intense yet velvety texture. Very long. Now

8 Creyssels, Mèze Here, unusually, we offer an appellation wine made from just one grape, the white Piquepoul, which translates (from the old Occitan tongue) as lip stinger, perhaps reflecting this variety s ability to retain acidity even in the southern heat. Picpoul de Pinet is a little known appellation near the Bassin de Thau, south-west of Montpellier. The wine is the traditional accompaniment to the oysters from the local beds in the Bassin de Thau near Sète - and not just in the south but in smart Paris bistros too. Look on it as the Muscadet of the Mediterranean, albeit with more heft and flavour. Julie Benau s vineyards are on clay and gravel soils, which lend greater weight than the sandier fields nearer the sea, set amidst woods of pines and cypresses. She crops at low yields, around 40hl/ha., picks very late - well into September - and leaves the wine on its lees. This care produces a wine with considerable concentration and character, which has become a real favourite here Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet, 13.5 Bottle 8.25 Case Code CRE111 Green-tinged. Herbal-scented, limey and fresh, yet also shows considerable weight and attractive leafy accents. Text book fare and all the better for it with crisp green apple, lime cordial, and a shake of dried herbs on the nose, while the palate is forthright and also smooth with melony traces. Delivers great value for money and would undeniably prove a great party success. 17 (90), 40 fantastic value wines in Decanter magazine, December Drink this year. Domaine du Météore, Cabrerolles, Faugères Geneviève and Guy Libes run this long-held, family owned estate in the village of Cabrerolles in the north of the Faugères appellation. It s named after the huge crater of a meteor which punctures the vineyards; and most of the wines are named after meteor showers. Two local factors mark all the wines: first all the family s 23 hectares of vines are on schistous soils - and that gives the wines a particular high-toned scent and exciting minerality; and second, the vineyards go up to 350 metres in altitude, and that, combined with cool downdrafts from the plateau to the north, brings freshness to their wines. Syrah in particular benefits from this terroir. It s also worth noting that the estate is in conversion to certification for organic viticulture. We list the family s excellent IGP Viognier on p.5. Their white Faugères is both fresh and weighty, and has many devotees who buy it every year. To start the reds we offer the second vintage of their Saint-Chinian. Unoaked, this is so expressive of the schist. Also unoaked is the red Les Léonides, and then there s a big step up in concentration and depth of flavour in Les Orionides. Finally we have Les Perséides, from equal halves of Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged 18 months in barriques Faugères Blanc, Les Léonides, 13.5 Bottle Case Code MET711 An unoaked blend of half Roussanne, half Marsanne. Lovely fresh scents: citrus fruit, ripe pear, and a hint of ginger. Convincingly weighty yet also lively, with an intriguingly rich palate of stone fruits and cream. Powerful and long. The 2012 will follow at Now Saint-Chinian, Clos de Bijou, 14 Bottle 9.75 Case Code MET209 50% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 15% Carignan, from vines right up against the plateau in Sainte Nazaire de Ladarez. Intense and characteristic schist scents: high-toned raspberries with sweet spice leap out of the glass. Bright, crunchy red fruit, with hints of framboise. and a twist of pepper. Mineral grip and supple tannin support. Now Faugères Rouge, Les Léonides, 14 Bottle 9.95 Case Code MET110 Les Léonides Rouge is an unoaked blend of more or less equal parts of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Lovely bright fruit, redcurranty and almost crunchy. This shows real finesse and delicacy. Long, perfumed finish. Now Faugères Rouge, Les Orionides, 14 Bottle Case Code MET309 An old favourite here - we first shipped the 2001 vintage - Les Orionides is based on 55% Syrah with 30% Mourvèdre and 15% Grenache, well-oaked. This is always a powerful, exuberant wine, based on a marriage of chocolatey oak and lush, damsony black fruit. Toast and autumnal fruit aromas. Very ripe and intense black fruit, backed by smooth tannins, which evinces the terroir in both some garriguey, herby wildness and minerality. A truly winning combination of power and suavity. Now Faugères Rouge, Les Perséides, 13.5 Bottle Case Code MET407 On our recent visit we were offered the last stock of this vintage of Les Perséides, so have snapped it up. From equal halves of Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged 18 months in barriques, this is a grand wine. From the explosive vanilla and cassis nose, through a whole gamut of dark fruits with such a confident interplay of spice, vanilla, garrigue and baked earth. Drinking so well, but promising further rewarding development. The 2008 vintage will follow. Limited stock. Now

9 Domaine Navarre, Roquebrun, Saint-Chinian Thierry Navarre, a delightful man with an impish expression and huge charm, continues to plough his fairly solitary furrow in Roquebrun, at the northern boundary of Saint Chinian, where he is one of the few growers to bottle his own wine, as opposed to selling to the local co-operative. His wines reflect the schistous soils - the label of Le Laouzil refers to Terroir de Schistes - and his vines are cultivated organically (without certification). We have bought from Thierry, on and off, since A recent visit made me wonder why we hadn t always had his wines in stock, as all his wines tasted superb. For the first time we have shipped his unusual and fascinating wine from the Oeillade grape, a southern French variety once thought to be related to Cinsault - see p.6. Here we list his two wines from the Saint-Chinian appellation. Le Laouzil, is from Grenache, Syrah and just a little Carignan, aged in large old wooden vats. Cuvée Olivier is from his oldest vines of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, in barrel. Thierry reported that 2010 was a very dry vintage at Roquebrun, so his yields were very low, around 25 hectolitres a hectare: the wines below certainly show great concentration and intensity Saint-Chinian, Le Laouzil, 13 Bottle Case Code NAV210 Deep ruby. Ripe and seductive scent of morello cherries. This combines great purity of red fruit with impressive concentration. Lushly textured. Fresh fruit on the finish. Already delicious but will keep well too. Now Saint-Chinian, Cuvée Olivier, 13.5 Bottle Case Code NAV310 This wine is marked by the richness of the fruit from old vines. Very ripe, mildly cooked aromas. Ripe red berried fruit, almost winegummy in character, velvety and sumptuous: but there s a just a little wildness too. A wine of big personality - which could only come from the Languedoc. Now-2017 Château La Grave, Badens, Minervois Owned by the Orosquette family, and named after the gravelly soil on the Etang de Marseillette, Château La Grave lies in the south-western part of the Minervois, now known as Les Balcons de l Aude. The unusual Expression white is based (80%) on a parcel of old vine Maccabeu, with Vermentino and Marsanne, which makes for a surprisingly weighty wine at the price. Tristan et Julien, named after a son and cousin here, is from about half and half Syrah and Grenache. The estate s summer-enhancing rosé is listed on p.3, and their white IGP on p Minervois Blanc, Expression, 13 Bottle 8.25 Case Code GRV611 80% old vine Maccabeu with Vermentino and Marsanne. Scent of herbs - almost Vermouth-like. As ever, textured and quite concentrated, with stone fruit and melon with almond nuances. Lively finish. A bargain which deserves to be better known. Drink this year 2011 Minervois Rouge, Tristan et Julien, 13 Bottle 8.25 Case Code GRV111 Just so open, simple and enjoyable, the sort of youthful French country wine of old. Vibrant purple (deeper than one might expect for a wine at this price). A ripe scent of crushed blackberries with a hint of spice prefaces a gush of refreshing, juicy berries and plums, with the merest hint of supporting tannins. That attractive black fruit returns on the finish. Easy drinking and transparently honest. Now-2014 We repeatedly refer to schist in this offer: we believe it s important as we consider that wine from vines grown on schist, which is acidic, can display a distinctive, high-toned scent and flavour. Schist is a rock, found in a band across all of Faugères and the northern sector of St. Chinian, but also in Corbières and Roussillon, notably around Maury and in Collioure. It s a metamorphic rock formed of foliated sedimentary layers changed by heat and pressure. Its common distinguishing feature, like slate, is that it splits easily into thin flakes or slabs, so the vineyards look as though they are covered in shards of rock, which can range in colour from soft pinky-beige in Faugères to coal-black near Maury in Roussillon. It is hard to see how vines can survive on such a sterile matrix: they do so through their roots penetrating deep into the fissures in the rock to find moisture and nutrients during the long dry summers. Anyone who is sceptical of the concept of minerality in wine should be converted by tasting wines from vines growing on schist. 9

10 Domaine du Grand Arc, Cucugnan, Corbières Bruno Schenk s vines are on classic argilo-calcaire soils, with some sandstone, in the wild hills between Cucugnan and Padern, surrounded by amazing hill-top Cathar castles. It s surprisingly cool here in these vineyards - Bruno was told when he arrived from Alsace that the land was only good for white and rosé - and this gives great finesse and freshness to all the wines. Bruno prefers minimal chemical treatments to extensive organic spraying, but he stops all spraying in mid-july, and makes wine with natural yeasts and without using any sulphur at all until bottling - so he qualifies as a natural winemaker. He attributes the deep colours of his splendid rosé (see p.3) and reds to this practice. Bruno s white is a light and delicately floral wine, but all his reds are full-flavoured and characterful. The Reserve Grand Arc is deservedly one of our best-sellers; and this year we have added one of his top wines, the stunning Temps d Histoire, from 120 year old Carignan vines Corbières Blanc, Veillée d Equinoxe, 13.5 Bottle 9.25 Case Code DGA611 55% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne and 15% Maccabeu. A floral, herbal scent is followed by a beautifully textured, fragrant palate of ripe citrus, white peach and pear. Elegant and persistant. Now Corbières Rouge, Nature d Orée, 14 Bottle 8.50 Case Code DGA111 Bruno s single unoaked red: 30%Grenache, 25% each of Carignan and Mourvèdre, plus Syrah and Cinsaut, this is vibrantly coloured and very much a young and lively wine. Juicy, pulpy red fruit - raspberries and mulberries - with no lack of substance. Now Corbières Rouge, Reserve Grand Arc, 14 Bottle 9.50 Case Code DGA210 About 50% Carignan, with 35% Grenache and 15 % Mourvèdre, aged in old barrels. Despite the youthful tone, this is attractively mature with the oak thoroughly integrated. A fleshy, welltextured mid palate of hedgerow fruits, very ripe but with good freshness for balance. Now Corbières Rouge, Cuvée des Quarante, 14.5 Bottle Case Code DGA310 Based on 45% Carignan with 35% Grenache and 20% Syrah, all in barrel, about 20% new. Deep purple. Strong aromas of raspberry coulis. Dense, old-viney feel. Vibrant red fruit, elegant and intense. Coffee notes from the oak. Drinking well and will keep. Now Corbières Rouge, En Sol Majeure, 14.5 Bottle Case Code DGA410 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, all in barrel, 50% new. This hedonistic wine is marked by extravagant aromas and flavours. Luxuriant black fruit, blackcurrants and blueberries, is lent depth by glossy vanilla and a fleeting note of tar. Full bodied and powerful, this is not for the faint-hearted. Now Corbières Rouge, Temps d Histoire, 14.5 Bottle Case Code DGA % Carignan from 120 year old vines, from a vineyard Bruno bought in 2000, all aged in 400 litre barrels, 60% new but barely toasted. I was knocked out by this at our tasting, but remarked that I wasn t sure how well it would age. Bruno left and returned with a bottle of his 2005 vintage, which retained youthful, bittersweet black fruit. Dense, grand and restrained, it was in many ways more similar to an expensive Bordeaux or even a top red Loire, than a wine from the south of France - which is a genuine testimony to the elegance Carignan can deliver from old vines. The 2011 shows plenty of expensive, vanilla oak notes now, but it s also quite reserved on the nose. Plush attack of red and black fruits, supple and refined, with black chocolate and pepper hints. Great mass. Profound. Can be drunk now, but perhaps best

11 Domaine Fontanel, Tautavel, Roussillon The charming Pierre Fontaneil currently oversees the domaine, family-owned since 1864, and has been a stalwart of our lists since The domaine covers 35 hectares of harsh, stony land around the tiny village of Tautavel. The vineyards are planted mainly to Grenache Noir and Blanc, along with Syrah and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. Growing alongside the local traditional varieties are small parcels of Merlot and Cabernet which appear in the IGP blend offered on p.6. No synthetic herbicides or fertilizers are used in the vineyards and yields are kept low, often below 30hl/ha, while in the cellar vinification and maturation are ultra traditional. From their consistently reliable - and fairly priced - range we offer their complex, oaked dry white, four reds (including the IGP) and three sweet and fortified Vins Doux Naturels Côtes du Roussillon Blanc, 14 Bottle Case Code FON711 From old vines of Grenache Blanc and Malvoisie, the oldest planted in 1908, well-oaked. Perfume of honey and apricots. Really intense mouthful of stone fruit with very well-integrated oak, which just lends a caramel accent. This is always a splendidly mineral and interesting wine, but it seems more exciting than ever in this vintage. Now Côtes du Roussillon Rouge, 14 Bottle Case Code FON111 From about 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah grown on schist near Maury, unoaked. Scent of black cherries with tobacco notes. Bramble and raspberry favours. Ripe tannin structure. As usual displaying a distinctive spicy and slightly roasted character. Now Côtes de Roussillon Villages Tautavel, Cistes, 14.5 Bottle Case Code FON209 Named after the white flowering bushes growing wild in the scrub. Half Syrah with Grenache and Carignan from very rocky land in the north of the appellation, raised in oak. Clear, pure black fruit aromas are backed by an attractive weight of mouthwatering currants and cherries on the palate. This is well structured and impressive. Limited stock. Now Côtes de Roussillon Villages, Tautavel, Le Prieuré, 14.5 Bottle Case Code FON310 From one parcel near Tautavel on a high, windswept, north facing slope of argillo calcaire, this blend of 2/3 Syrah, with Grenache, and a little Mourvèdre is given 18 months in new oak casks. This can approach Hermitage in style after a few years in bottle. Deep and inky purple. Very open, intense perfume of cassis, mocha and nutmeg. Pure blackcurrant core, very silky and intense, with the merest tarry hint. Finely integrated oak. Mouthcoating richness. A keeper. Now-2018 Vin Doux Naturels We used to ship just one of the estate s Vins Doux Naturels, the hugely popular Rivesaltes Ambré, but as you have embraced this style of wine we now offer three. Vins Doux Naturels are made by stopping the fermentation of very ripe grapes, part way through its course, by the addition of alcohol (a process known as mutage); thereby preventing the yeasts from working, and leaving a fortified wine with plentiful natural grape sugar and anywhere between 15 and 17 degrees of alcohol. Rivesaltes VDNs are named after the town near Perpignan, but can be made over a relatively large area, either eponymously from Muscat or a wide range of other white grapes such as Grenache Blanc and Malvoisie. Maury is the appellation for VDNs made around the town in the Maury Valley west of Perpignan Muscat de Rivesaltes, L Age de Pierre, 15.5 Bottle Case Code FON811 Entirely from the superior Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. Pale lemon. Such a voluptuous scent: hothouse lilies and sun-warmed grapes, even a note of tangerine. Intense, zesty flavours, evoking marmalade, rose petals and pineapple, focused, silky and persistent. Now-2015 (although Pierre does also sell a 12 year old vintage from the cellar door!) 2000 Rivesaltes Ambré, 16.5 Bottle Case Code FON900 From late-picked, 60 year-old vines of Grenache Blanc. The Ambré - literally amber - tone develops after at least five years of mildly oxidative ageing in barrel, though this had nearly ten. Deep, slightly hazy golden-brown with a coppery tint. This smells quite like old Cognac, with fumes of cooked plums, and a hint of sherry-like oxidation. Dates and toffee dominate, with accompanying subtleties, including walnuts and coffee: mysteriously delicious. Now Maury, France, 16 Bottle Case Code FON608 From one plot of 60 year old vines of Grenache Noir. This style is well-known for matching chocolate, but it s equally good with cheese, especially blue cheese, in a manner akin to a very fruity and forward port. Deep ruby colour. Really inviting nose of Christmas fruits and sweet spices. Mouthfilling, with a wonderful equilibrium between red fruits and mocha, plus notes of spice and marzipan. Such complexity and warming length. Limited stock. The wonderfully pure and forward 2010 vintage follows. Now

12 Domaine Depeyre, Cases-de-Pène, Roussillon I nearly gave up on this particular day: I had passed through 500 metre passes on single track, snow-covered roads through the Hautes Corbières, and more snow was forecast. Am I glad I persisted. Though the cellar was freezing, the welcome from Brigitte was warm and the wines.well, the wines were sensational. There are many tiny domaines making very fine wine from old vines in Roussillon. Most of them want to charge astronomical figures for them. Here the wines were just as fine, but without any accompanying pretension or avarice. The white is fascinating, but the reds are even more unusual in that both are UNOAKED. What you are tasting is the pure flavours of grapes from old vines growing in the extraordinary terroir of the Agly Valley just east of Perpignan, simply fermented in fibreglass tanks. The Côtes du Roussillon Villages Rouge has been hugely enjoyed here before (and Brigitte told me that the 2010 vintage was awarded Coup de Coeur in Guide Hachette); and the Rubia Tinctoria is the most extraordinary and exciting unoaked red I have ever tasted. Serge Depeyre, from a Rhône wine-making family, and Brigitte Bile, from Cases de Pène, met at wine-making college in Avignon in Together they returned to her birthplace, and initially worked at Mas Amiel, while starting the purchase of their own vineyards with 4 hectares in 1997, their small cellar in Cases-de-Pène in 2000, and producing their first wine in Serge s day job is working as Régisseur, effectively estate manager and overseer in charge of Clos des Fées (one of the most highly rated and hugely expensive Roussillon estates) at Vingrau, and their own little domaine has grown to 12 hectares, largely looked after by Brigitte. Hearing them, one senses how hard it is to be a grower among these arid, wind-blasted hills: they need a pick-axe in order to plant a vine; they plough using a mule; and yields are ludicrously low Symphonie, IGP Côtes Catalanes, 14.5 Bottle Case Code DEP611 Technically, this IGP should be listed at the front of this list. But as it s a blend of local varieties - 2/3 Grenache Gris and 1/3 Grenache Blanc - grown in a classic argilo-calcaire terroir near Vingrau, I think it deserves to be presented here. It s just rounded by some aging in demi-muids, 600 litre barrels. Intriging herbal scents, on the spectrum of fennel, celery and aniseed. Penetratingly dry and stony palate of ripe tangerine and stone fruit accented with herbs and almonds. Splendid volume. Very long indeed. Not for everyone but very fine wine. Now Côtes du Roussillon Villages Rouge, 14.5 Bottle Case Code DEP111 From about 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 25% Carignan, grown on black schist vineyards near the village. Youthful, opaque purple. This delivers a surprisingly pretty nose for such a big wine, showing cassis and rosehips. So smooth and polished. Very ripe black cherry fruit is fascinatingly tinged with hints of dried figs, menthol and liquorice. Excellent weight, and with well-judged tannins, this is a classic Roussillon blend; and one which will last well too. Now Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Rubia Tinctoria 14 Bottle Case Code DEP411 From 85% Syrah, based on one south facing plot just above the village, plus 15% Grenache, picked early in late August; and named after the latin name for the Common Madder, a Mediterranean plant whose root traditionally supplied a red dye. Cassis-like perfume: instantly one thinks of Hermitage. The merest taste is so striking: this is a totally wonderful, energetic, super-svelte, alive wine. Whilst there is a heart of bittersweet blackcurrants, the wine also exhibits profound mineral depths. Truly captivating - but we recommend that if you want to drink this now do decant it (or double decant it) to give it some air. Now-2018 For orders and all enquiries, please contact: Simon Taylor: simon@stonevine.co.uk Gordon Coates: gordon@stonevine.co.uk François Dupont: francois@stonevine.co.uk Phil Hughes: phil@stonevine.co.uk Telephone: Fax: sales@stonevine.co.uk Website: No. 13 Humphrey Farms, Hazeley Road, Twyford, Winchester, SO21 1QA Opening times: Weekdays: 9.00am-6.00pm Saturdays: 9.30am-4.00pm 12