J.P.Chenet Cabernet-Syrah 2011

15.5 / 20

Producer: J.P. Chenet

Region:Pays d'Oc

Country:France

Starting out with some notes of green bellpeppers, this later morphs into a very fruit-forward wine, with lots of jammy blackberries appearing in the nose, alongside with some spices.

Very inviting in the palate, a soft, round body with a balanced acidity and soft tannins, the jammy fruit notes are also in the foreground, side by side with a distinct vegetable feel. Correct, medium-length finale.

A very straight-forward, young and slightly sweet wine. Not one to keep for a long time, but pretty enjoyable in its simplicity and youth.

Cigalus 2009

17.0 / 20

Producer: Gérard Bertrand

Region: Pays d'Oc

Country: France

Really dark and concentrated in the glass, this shows some ripe dark fruits in the nose, delicate at first, but quickly growing and expanding, showing a spicier side and, as it breathes, a note of grass and mint that really composes the set.

Intense and full bodied in the palate, showing a vibrant acidity and marked by a good deal of concentrated black fruits. Velvety tannins help give it even more structure and layers, while the vanilla and oaky notes give it a very deep and composed feel. The subtle spices and vegetable notes present throughout the taste give it an added edge and grace, resulting in a really interesting wine that will age for some more years.

Tasted on 2012-10-11

Cigalus 2010

16.5 / 20

Producer: Gérard Bertrand

Region: Pays d'Oc

Country: France

A lovely white from the Languedoc, this blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc is a serious, wintery wine with a good bouquet showing notes of flowers and ripe, sweet white fruits - peaches and apricots. There's also a good deal of buttery, vanilla like notes in the background giving it some weight and depth.

The first impact on the mouth is of a very structured wine, full bodied and serious. There's a marked dryness in the palate that, mixed with the heavier oak notes and some impressions of sweeter white fruits, results in a very balanced and composed taste. Long, dry finish that brings out a spicier side.