SOMETIMES YOU GET LUCKY

Lucky enough to be in France's vastly underrated Languedoc region, lucky enough to read an article recommending a visit to Chateau le Bouis and lucky enough to have a range of outstanding wines shown to us by the charming, knowledgeable Audrey. We've lost count of the number of Cellar Doors we've visited around the world but this experience, thanks to Audrey and the wines, was up there with the best.

In a truly impressive line up these four impressed us most. If we lived in Europe we'd be buyng dozens of them. As it is we're enquiring about shipping costs to Australia.  But for the time being we just bought a few bottles of each for some upcoming tastings we have planned.

All wines scored 5/5 from me. They're all quite different in their style with a variety of winemaking techniques applied to different combinations of varieties. This is reflected in their labelling which unusually lacks any common cotporate branding theme. 

2014 Cuvee R ... a blend of Grenache, Carignan and Shiraz [14% a/v] 9.95 euro

2014 Cuvee Zoe ... mostly Carignan that's gone through carbonic maceration [14.5% a/v] 12.70 euro

2011 Cuvee Arthur ... mostly Shiraz with 12% from old Carignan vines [14% a/v] 15.50 euro

2011 Cuvee K ... mostly Shiraz with 6% Carignan [15% a/v] 25 euro

You may struggle to find these anywhere but from the winery:

Chateau le Bouis

Route Bleue, 11430 Gruissan 
ph 04 68 75 25 25

                                                            contact@chateaulebouis.com

A DISAPPOINTING BENCHMARK

CHATEAU HAUT-BATAILLEY 2011 GRAND CRU 

As the most expensive of our 24 mixed bottles from Cave l'Avant Garde we opened this with keen anticipation. Sadly it didn't rattle our cage so we replaced the cork. Next day same response. On the third day it was drinking at its best but it still didn't impress as much as lower priced reds in the selection.

REGION: Pauillac, Bordeaux
A/V: 13.5% 
PRICE: 42 euro 
FROM: Cave L'Avant Garde Margaux 
RATING: 3/5 from me 

Carta Roja 2011 Monastrell Syrah

This is a lovely aged Spanish red fading in colour but still packing a charry mouth puckering punch. It's leathery and savoury. Not for everyone but should be 3 times the price. 


4.5/5 rating from me 
£4.85 from Sainsbury's

Turkish Delight

Over the years there's been an understandable lack of necessity to bring wine to our place. So many samples from suppliers, so many left overs from tastings. That's all changed in retirement so we thank Hilary and Glynn Genin for their regular contributions to our shared dining.
LIKYA 2011 Kalecik Karasi Malbec Dry Red Wine
This is a cracker they brought back from Turkey especially for us. It's a blend of a local variety with our old favourite malbec. It's definitive Mediterranean with a rich sun drenched intensity that with six years in the bottle was drinking at a superb peak. Yet another variety to add to my tasting list [over a 1000 to go] and a 5/5 rating from me for so many reasons.