Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Syrah 2007
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A gorgeous and decadent Syrah with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, black cherry, fudge brownie and coffee ice cream. The lush and creamy mouth is full but not overdone, with a fantastic evolution on the palate from fresh dark fruit to sweet chocolaty flavors and finally pepper flecked spice on the long finish. Balanced and ready to drink now, though you could hold for another couple of years to mellow.
The use of Culture Raisonée (this term was recently described by Jancis Robinson as 'verging on organic viticulture') is applied to vine growing in all Laurent's estates. Laurent also believes strongly in the benefits of intervention by local and international specialists in areas such as irrigation, soil analysis and canopy management.
Laurent does not believe in heavy intervention by the winemaker. Noble grapes from low yielding vines on the appropriate terroir should require minimal intervention to produce a fine wine. While Laurent believes strongly that quality oak selection and the use of appropriate modern and traditional winemaking techniques can add an element of consistency and character, ultimately a truly fine wine is the result of a year long intervention at the vineyard.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
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.