2010 L'ORÉE Coteaux du Languedoc Clos des Nines

The soils: The entire estate is located on typical chalky-clay Languedoc soils with fossilised oyster shells. The Cinsault grows on red stony soils. Each year a small quantity of organic fertiliser is incorporated.. The vines: Our vines are on average 30 years old and planted on gentle slopes. The 15-year-old Grenache is the youngest , Syrah, Cinsault are around 35 years old, whilst the Carignan and Alicante are over 80 years old. These are grown in a traditional gobelet style.The other vines are trellised in a double cordon de Royat with a high foliage. In 2012 a (small) total of 7,5 hectares of vines producing red grapes and one hectare white grapes. The harvest: exclusively done by hand in 15kg cases. Extreme attention is brought to the sanitary aspect and phenolic maturity of the berries. Our yields are naturally low at 35 to 40 hectoliters/hectare Vinification: the harvest is destemmed except for the Carignan. Each varietal is vinified separately. Flow and press juices are isolated and blended after the winter colds. The final blend is aged 3 months in tank and at least 12 months in bottle before release. Grenache Noir 50%, Syrah 25%, Cinsault 25%. Dark rubis, deep and brilliant robe. Nose full of small black berries, scents of « garrigue » . Rich and seduicing mouth, complex on balsamic notes, spices and wild blackberries. Greatly balanced with finesse finishing on Mocha and cacao notes. Drink through 2017. 24 000 bottles made in 2010 vintage Winemaker's notes

Focused and refined, with sanguine character to the raspberry, dark plum and cherry pie flavors that feature violet accents. Beefy notes linger on the rich, minerally finish. Drink now through 2017. 1,600 cases made. (Oct 31, 2012) 90/100 The Wine Spectator