Winemaker Notes
"L'Infidèle" reminds us with Jean-Pierre Jullien, estate founding father, who criticized the traditional langedocian extensive vine-growing methods to contribute to creating the quality practices in Languedoc that have paved the way of the reputation of the estate.
Very generous nose (dark and red fruits, garrigue, liquorice…). Full-bodied wine with nice tannins, a complex aromatic expression and a long and mineral finish... Maturity 10 to 15 years.
Food-pairing: When young: grilled meat with herbs, tajine, tapenade / at maturity: Game, Daube "à la Provençale", cassoulet, terroir cheeses (Cantal, St Nectaire…).
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault, and like the majority of wines here, matured primarily in 500 liter barrels, only a small percentage of which are new – the Cal Demoura 2006 Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac L’Infidele displays an uncanny combination of palate richness and viscosity with vivacious brightness of fruit and fine-grained tannin. Plum, cherry, bay, raw beef, dark chocolate, and black pepper all vie for attention, along with undertones of caulk and wet stone, and tart fruit skin and pepper lend an especially brash cast to the finish. Based on the evolution of wines from the era of Jullien ownership – in homage to which, with certain attempts at improvement, this cuvee is explicitly intended – I have no worry about projecting a decade of rewarding evolution. And based on the pricing of recent vintages, this should also represent an excellent value.
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.