This estate is yet another example of a Parisian leaving the city in the mid-1990s to take up wine in the Languedoc, albeit one who had remained unknown to me until recently. The wines have a finesse and silkiness that will appeal to Burgundy-lovers.
Certified organic.
2018 Minervois Le Bois des Merveilles
This wine is half from 60 year-old Grenache, half from 100 year-old Cinsault. It is light and silky with red fruits and good length, but doesn’t show the depth and character of the Hors Champs and La Nine below — perhaps due to the vintage? We’ll have to wait and see when the 2020 is released. Cork closure. 14% stated alcohol. Lot B1808. 88/B+
2019 Minervois Arbalète and Coquelicots
Elegant and smooth with red fruits and some spices, this wine is a delicious bargain for those who can appreciate wines that are not violent blockbusters. 90% from Grenache vines that are 25 years-old, 10% from 35 year-old Syrah, limestone-clay soils, whole cluster fermentation, raised in tank. Cork closure. 88/B+
2020 Minervois Hors Champs
Again, Burgundy style is evident with silk texture in a medium-light body with dark plum aromas and flavors. The wine is a mixture of 40% 40 year-old Cinsault, 30% Grenache that is 30-40 years-old, and 30% Carignan that is 30 years-old, grown on clay-limestone soils. Cork closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. Lot HC 2107. 91/A
2020 Minervois La Nine
There is intensity, depth, and garrigue-like wildness to this wine. It has dark fruit, some spices, a silk texture, medium-weight. It drinks beautifully now but should continue to age for a number of years because of its balance. 50% from 100 year-old Carignan vines, 20% from 60 year-old Grenache, 10% from 35 year-old Cinsault, 10% from 15 year-old Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. Clay-limestone soils, whole cluster vinification, raised 2/3 in tank, 1/3 in barrel. Certified organic. Cork closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. 91/A
2020 Minervois Ornicar
Smooth and silky with darker fruit and a bit more body than La Nine. 80% Grenache (50 years-old), 10% Carignan (70 years-old), 10% Mourvèdre (15 years-old) grown on clay-limestone soils, whole cluster fermentation, raised in tank. Cork closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. Lot MO2104. 90/A
2021 Aude Amalgame
This is Sénat’s newest wine, from eight year-old vines, 40% Grenache Noir, 40% Grenache Gris, 20% Carignan, given ten days of maceration and raised in tank. It is a light wine (the producer’s website suggests that it may even be considered a dark rosé) with some freshness and strawberry flavors and aromas. Cork closure. 13% stated alcohol. Lot AMO122. 86/B+
2021 Minervois Arbalète and Coquelicots
The estate describes this as a springtime wine, which I take as one for early drinking. It is fruity and delicious with dark plum fruit and a joyous, light texture. About 75% Grenache from 25 year-old vines, 15% Cinsault from 30 year-old vines, 15% Carignan from 70 year-old vines, all on clay-limestone soils. Certified organic. Cork closure. 13% stated alcohol. Lot ACO222. 90/A