Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A small step back from the insanely good 2011 (don’t miss a chance to try this), the 2013 Terrasses du Larzac Hissez O is still gorgeous, yet is closed and backwards at the moment and needs to be forgotten for a year or two. Offering a touch of damp earth and underbrush in its core of ripe plums, currants and assorted dark fruits, it’s medium-bodied, supple, polished and has fine tannin. It should keep nicely through 2025. The blend is 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 5% Cinsault, from higher elevation sites, that spent 22 months in three-year-old demi-muids.
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Wine Spectator
Richly layered with ripe raspberry, black olive and cherry tea notes, this full-bodied red sports tangy acidity and ample, polished tannins. Dried meat, savory spice and mocha accents mark the lingering, iron-tinged finish. Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault.
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.