2014 Languedoc haul - part 1

Château Bousquette Tradition Saint-Chinian 2012

Stumbled across this place accidentally after taking a wrong turn on my way back from Cessenson-sur-Orb. Madame Perret was a joy. She answered my inane questions with good humour and even had a view on Fabian Cancellara!  

This was their mid-price option which was still worked out at £5.20. Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre. Benefitted greatly from decanting. Had that minerally, earthy fruit I remember from Faugeres. I tried many Grenache/Syrah blends from other areas closer to the coast but they don't seem to have the the depth and velvety edge that Faugeres or St Chinan. Is it the addition of Mourvedre? Terroir? 

 I'd estimate this to be priced at around £10-12 in the UK, which would tip the scales against it for me but at £5.20 it's a marvel. 

Cotes du Rhone - Villages 2010

£7 from Sainsburys so expectations were low given their recent form. Bought as part of a recent foray into Syrah/Shiraz country (more on that to follow). It is in fact a syrah/granache blend (fairly typical for Rhone, I'm told).

Bizarre smell of smoked mackerel initially. Not unpleasant but odd. This gives way to a slatey bramble smell that's backed up by the pallet. Medium bodied. Doesn't have the cool minerality of some Faugères (but then why would it - granache is the only real link here) and no sign of the 'spicy' quality promised by the back label. Still, for a £7 stab from a Sainsburys Local you could do much worse.

Cuvée des Amandiers Rouge 2008 Vin de Pays d'Oc

A quick note on a wine that, at £4.69 (Majestic) has to be considered outstanding value. I can't remember the last time I had a wine that was as good as this at such a keen price.

Not to give the impression that it was memorable or even very harmonious, but it certainly qualified as superplonk which is ideal for the 'caning multiple bottles' stage of the evening.

It has warmth and jammy (damson?) fruit but doesn't have the intense highly alcoholic overpowering quality that I often seem to find with low-end Languedoc-Roussillon. It's a bit like some of the Lirac/Ardèche wines I had from Yapp bros but with less intensity. Apparently the blend is Grenache & Syrah which I beleive is also widely found in Rhone wines?

Although Majestic do piss me off at times (lazy staff who are prone to bullshitting about wines which they clearly know even less that I do), you have to hand it to them when it comes to cheap french country wines. They have much to offer below £6 and, if you know what you want (i.e. not needing any advice) they are worth a go.