Domaine de Cigalus Rouge 2017
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Robert
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Intense ruby color with a mahogany hue. First, the bouquet shouts concentrated, very ripe black fruit. After a little time in the glass, more complexity with grilled spice and toasted oak unfolds. The palate is lush and opulent with velvety tannins. The aromas of black fruit -blackberries, black cherries, and plums - reappear with a complex empyreumatic web leading into mint. The finish is long with a perfect balance.
Perfect with roasted red meat, poultry "en sauce" or ripened cheese.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of seven varieties but dominated by Bordeaux varieties, the 2017 IGP Aude Hauterive Cigalus features scents of mint and cassis on the nose. It's full-bodied and dark, very much a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Firmly structured, it's not terribly pleasing or generous right now but ideally needs a few years in a cool cellar.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Gérard Bertrand Cigalus Rouge is a beautiful and powerful wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine takes hold and wraps itself around the palate. Enjoy its rich and persistent black fruit aromas and flavors with a juicy, grilled ribeye topped with minced shallots. (Tasted: February 3, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
An extensive appellation producing a diverse selection of good quality and great values, Languedoc spans the Mediterranean coast from the Pyrenees mountains of Roussillon all the way to the Rhône Valley. Languedoc’s terrain is generally flat coastal plains, with a warm Mediterranean climate and frequent risk of drought.
Virtually every style of wine is made in this expansive region. Most dry wines are blends with varietal choice strongly influenced by the neighboring Rhône Valley. For reds and rosés, the primary grapes include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. White varieties include Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Macabéo, Clairette, Piquepoul and Bourbelenc.
International varieties are also planted in large numbers here, in particular Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The key region for sparkling wines here is Limoux, where Blanquette de Limoux is believed to have been the first sparkling wine made in France, even before Champagne. Crémant de Limoux is produced in a more modern style.