Tasting: The Great Wines of the South

OUR TASTING REPORT "The Great Wines of the South":

Discover the tasting report by Didier Frayssou from our Oenoschool tasting on January 16, 2016, and take advantage of our reviews of 10 different great wines!

Antoine Arena Patrimonio Blanc 2003 Grotte di Sole

A golden color with green highlights and a moderately expressive nose of flowers, honey, dried fruits, quince, and cream. On the palate, this wine delivers an oily and powerful profile, with a slight bitterness on the finish.

Palette Château Simone Blanc 2000

The color is golden to old gold, and considerably more evolved than the previous wine. On the nose, one finds toasted notes, dried fruits, butter, and a hint of honey. The palate offers a very fine acidity/alcohol balance and a lovely length with a beautiful aromatic expression. A very pure wine that drinks like a great Côte de Beaune…

Domaine de Montcalmès 2013

The color is very intense, violet-hued, and brilliant. The nose reveals floral notes, a touch of leather, blackcurrant, blackberry, and pepper. The palate is somewhat angular at this stage, with marked tannins and a pronounced acidity. A wine to keep for a few more years to fully appreciate its beautiful purity.

Grange des Pères 2012

The color is moderately intense, ruby, slightly hazy, and showing a hint of evolution. The nose is splendid, with morello cherry, pine resin, eucalyptus, liquorice, and gentle spices. The palate reveals great concentration and a particularly silky attack, with a splendid balance and length. It already drinks magnificently well today.

Mas Jullien 2009

The color is opaque with violet highlights. The nose is fairly reserved, revealing aromas of black fruits, liquorice, and graphite. The palate is beautifully balanced, with tannins that are well present but nicely ripe. A wine that will still require a little patience to express its full potential.

Peyre Rose Clos des Cistes 1998

The color is opaque, ruby, with tile-red highlights. The nose reveals smoky aromas of tobacco, garrigue, crushed strawberry, and flowers… Absolutely magical! The palate is broad yet particularly velvety. The tannins are present but very silky. The length is remarkable.

Tempier La Migoua 2008

The color is intense, ruby, with violet hues. On the nose, one finds jammy strawberry and raspberry, graphite, and cocoa. The palate is very well balanced, although the tannins are still quite perceptible and the expression still restrained. A wine with great potential!

Trévallon 2004 Rouge

The color is more intense, hazy, with slight signs of evolution. The nose is complex, with garrigue, tobacco, crushed red fruits, flowers, and eucalyptus. The palate is full and balanced, with a very fine aromatic nobility. The tannic finish calls for a few hours of decanting or an additional 4 to 5 years of cellaring.

Tour du Bon 2001 "d'Ici"

Opaque ruby color with brown highlights. The nose is cooked, with black fruits, chocolate, prune, and dried fig. On the palate, the perception of sweetness is very restrained. A very fruity, tannic wine with alcohol that is very well integrated despite its 16.5°.

Bonus!

The intruder wine: Domaine de l'Horizon "Esprit de l'Horizon 2014 blanc"

Pale yellow color with a few green highlights. The nose is floral, with white fruits and grape. Without being particularly full-bodied, the palate is refreshing and displays a balance that is far more northern than southern! A wine one could describe as rather simple yet very effective for immediate pleasure! Tempted by purchasing great wines from southern vineyards? Discover our selection at the best prices on Vins & Millésimes!