Winemaker Notes
A well-balanced Shiraz displaying a deep purple-red color. Blueberries and cherries can be found on the nose with a full, round palate and a peppery finish. Enjoy with barbecued chicken, ribs, stews, red meats and hard cheeses.
The grapes were grown at the estates of Domaine Castan in Cazouls les Béziers and Domaine Clotte Fontane in Salinelles, both located in Gard.
"The 2007 Shiraz (contrary to what the spelling of that name might lead you to expect) is sourced from Saint-Chinian in the Languedoc. Its nose features black cherry jam, along with faint suggestions of smoke and crushed stone often associated with this region. Soft in texture, its pure simplicity of lightly-cooked black fruit suggests a hint of sweetness." Robert Parker's
Wine Advocate
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.