The Garrigue’s
(scrublands)
Out in the garrigues you can smell rosemary, sage, and Lavender. You can see the all the shrubs and wildflowers on their red dirt beds, clinging to the ground, beaten down by the hot sun. The grape vines also reflect the garrigues: bush grown, no trellises, and often leaving the biggest leaves on for shade protection. The flavors and colors are symbols of this Ripe-Scrubland. Dark, Aromatic and D-lish!! Just down the coast from the Southern Rhone Valley, we will get into the Languedoc region where we find a few Grenache/Syrah based blends. And then over to Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon, to try a Faustine blend. Come and get wild while tasting the wildgrown. the Garrigues.
@ HUMBLE VINE Wednesday, March 28th 4pm-8pm
Chateau Saint Eulalie, Minervois Rosé "Printemps d'Eulalie", 2016 $19
Fruity and redolent of ripe strawberries, watermelon and a hint of licorice. Easy going with a citrus zest edge. Try pairing with charcuteries, salads, Mediterranean plates and cheese. Very Smooth and refreshing.
Mas Champart, Saint-Chinian Blanc, 2014 $24
I loved the white from Mas Champart and the 2014 Saint Chinian Blanc is a mix of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Bourboulenc, Viognier and Clairette. It sees full malolactic fermentation. Giving up pretty, classic notes of white peach, green citrus, leafy herbs and a kiss of minerality, it’s medium-bodied, has nicely integrated acidity and a great finish.
Domaine Comte Abbatucci, Ajaccio Faustine Rouge, Corsica, France 2012 $ 27
Characterized by a cherry color with ruby highlights, the powerful nose immediately evokes Garrigue native to the Corsica Island. This wine is characterized by its beautiful aromatic palette, aroma of black fruit of a certain complexity with a note of discreet red fruit, it also leaves room for flavors of spices and pepper.
70% Sciaccarellu (native to Corsica), 30% Niellucciu (Sangiovese)
Calmel + Joseph, St. Chinian 2014, $ 18
This wine is made from a blend of grapes, 70% of which come from vines planted on a clay-limestone soil and 30% from vines planted on schist. A complex wine. Deep red hue. Intense on the nose with harmonious ripe aromas: cherries mingling with plums and slightly peaty notes. It is clean and straightforward on the palate with a nice hint of scrubs
Domaine L’ostal Cazes Estibals, Minervois 2015 $18
With its deep red hue and violet glints, this Minervois offers scrubland and cherries on the nose. A full-bodied attack and a smooth finish with medium tannins. A touch of oak to the finish. 42% Syrah, 36% Carignan, 12% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre
Leon Barral, "Jadis" Faugeres 2014 $49
Beautiful pure fruit, no trace of new wood. A touch of heat and it i could feel the Grenache contribution. A very fine producer and cuvee. Red and blue berries. Dense fruity flavor, youthful with lots of tannins and garrigue.