Winemaker Notes
The 2005 vintage for Domaine de Nizas was dry and warm. Rain fell at the beginning of September, followed by good weather, which made the grapes mature perfectly. Cool nights produced balanced acidity, adding freshness to the wine.
This wine is deep garnet in color, with fragrant aromas of blackberries, bilberries (European blueberries) and spices. The distinctive herbal notes commonly found in wines around the Mediterranean called garrigue—lavendar, sage, rosemary and wild thyme—speak to the wine's regionality and terroir. The palate is well-balanced and clean, becoming round and full-bodied, with soft, ripe tannins and a long finish. Enjoyable now or age for up to five years in a cool cellar.
This powerful and elegant wine is an ideal partner to Mediterranean dishes such as a lamb tangine with candied grapes and almonds of braised duck with mushrooms. Serve at cellar temperature and open one hour before tasting.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
A refined red from the south of France, with a core of concentrated raspberry, red plum and kirschlike flavors. There’s plenty of fresh acidity as well, with a bright finish of pepper and spice. Should open up with time in the cellar. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Drink now through 2015.
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.