OUR COMPLETE RANGE
CABERNET SYRAH
CABERNET SYRAH
Les Deux Aristos – The Two Aristocrats
Like its white sibling, the Piano and the Clarinet Chardonnay-Viognier, this is a blend of two classic grape varieties that work in perfect harmony. When we first pioneered the style – selecting grapes from some very special vineyards in our corner of Southern France – our neighbours said we were crazy, but it’s a partnership that has a long tradition in Bordeaux and more recently Australia. The secret to its success lies in our having perfect gravelly soil for the Cabernet Sauvignon and clay and limestone for the Syrah – and to Hugh Ryman’s experience making wine in Bordeaux and South Australia.
TASTING NOTES
The blackcurrant and bell pepper flavours of the Cabernet Sauvignon, seem to have been destined to be married with the spicy, brambley, gently peppery Syrah. The vanilla character of the oak is present but subtle and the tannins are softer than in many Cabernets. A very luxurious drink; silky & satisfying.
FOOD STYLE
Good with a range of red meat dishes but its soft fruity character makes this a very attractive wine to drink by itself.
GRAPE VARIETY
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Vineyards around Puichéric, Jouarres-Homps and the hilly areas of Caunes-Trausse, Minervois
OAK MATURATION
6 Months
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
13.5%
ACIDITY
3.3 g/L
PH
3.71
RESIDUAL SUGAR
5 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
100 – 400m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Alluvial slopes for the Cabernet, Clay & Limestone Terraces for the Syrah
VINE AGE
20 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low – 70hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical harvesting at night to maintain freshness
MALBEC
MALBEC
Le Capricieux –Playful
The French musical term capricieux means ‘playful‘, and that’s how we’ve always seen the Malbec vines which surprise us every year with their deeply fruity and subtly spicy, plummy, blueberryish wines. We were among the first in our ancient region of Southern France to make this style, from a set of very special vineyards with varied soils and altitudes.
TASTING NOTES
Deeply coloured, soft, plummy and cherryish, with hints of violet. The use of oak is deliberately delicate to maintain the fruity, easy drinkability of the wine. A great marriage of the fruity appeal of Argentine Malbec with the subtler, more structured and mineral-noted examples from Cahors in France.
FOOD STYLE
Perfect with all full-flavoured meat dishes, and is as ideal with traditional French and international cuisine.
GRAPE VARIETY
100% Malbec
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Village of Homps & Pépieux, Minervois, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
20% was matured in French and American Oak barrels.
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
13%
ACIDITY
3.45 g/L
PH
3.65
RESIDUAL SUGAR
4 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
150m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Alluvial slopes
VINE AGE
20 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low – 80hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical harvesting at night to maintain freshness
VIOGNIER
VIOGNIER
L’Abricot et le Gingembre – Apricot and Ginger
The Viognier is an extraordinary grape with flavours of apricot and ginger and honeysuckle perfume – hence the name. We were among the first to produce it in our region – from very special vineyards where this often tricky variety ripens perfectly.
TASTING NOTES
Viogniers are often over-oaked. We wanted our wine to display the floral, exotic of this grape and it was crucial that it would be a great accompaniment to food. So we added 15% Chardonnay grapes to the blend, giving the wine extra freshness, and pineapple and melon notes that go with its delightful mango and apricot flavours. The wine saw no oak. A truly classy example of this variety.
FOOD STYLE
Great with oriental food, by itself or with all fish and white meat dishes.
GRAPE VARIETY
85% Viognier, 15% Chardonnay
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Minervois, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
Nil
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
13%
ACIDITY
3.8 g/L
PH
3.4
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
200m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Clay and limestone slopes
VINE AGE
15 Years
DENSITY
4000 vines/ha
YIELD
Low-70hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical harvesting at night to maintain freshness
CHARDONNAY
CHARDONNAY
Le Piano et la Clarinette – The Piano and the Clarinette
One of the first wines we produced, like its red sibling, Les Deux Aristos, this is a blend of two classic grape varieties – Chardonnay and Viognier – that work in perfect harmony. Chardonnays come in many styles, from light, acidic and minerally to rich, buttery and oaky. We wanted to make neither of these. Our ambition was a wine that was satisfying, yet fresh, and with a sufficiently interesting flavour to capture the imagination – and that’s where the perfumed notes of the Viognier came in. From the outset, it was crucial that it would be a great accompaniment to food, while being perfect to drink by itself.
TASTING NOTES
This is a fresh wine, with the apple, melon and pineapple flavors of the Chardonnay, a touch of mango and ginger from the Viognier and a subtle hint of oak.
FOOD STYLE
Great by itself or to accompany all fish and white meat dishes. Will work well with oriental food.
GRAPE VARIETY
85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Minervois, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
30% was matured in French and American barrels. The remainder, including the Viognier, was unoaked.
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
13%
ACIDITY
3.7 g/L
PH
3.5
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
150m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Clay and limestone terraces
VINE AGE
15 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low-60hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical harvesting at night to maintain freshness
SAUVIGNON BLANC
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Les Deux Mondes – The Two Worlds
Sauvignon Blanc is a relative newcomer to our region and it took time for us to locate precisely the best soils and altitudes in which to grow it. The ‘two worlds’ refers to the combination of vibrant New World character and Old World subtlety that we wanted to create in this dry and freshly fruity example of the Sauvignon grape. Like all of our wines, it owes its character to our careful blending of grapes grown in different soils and at different altitudes. It also gains a fascinating note from the addition of a little Marsanne – a combination that almost nobody else has tried.
TASTING NOTES
A very interesting wine with a refreshingly grassy green fig, papaya and lychee notes combined with characteristic Sauvignon capsicum, tomato and cassis leaf and gooseberry.
FOOD STYLE
Great by itself or to accompany all fish and white meat dishes. Will work especially well with seafood. Delicious by itself.
GRAPE VARIETY
97% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Marsanne
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Minervois, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
Nil
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
12.5%
ACIDITY
4.1 g/L
PH
3.3
RESIDUAL SUGAR
<2 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
150m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Clay and limestone terraces
VINE AGE
15 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
LOW – 80HL/HA
HARVEST
Mechanical Harvesting at night to maintain freshness
GSM
GSM RED BLEND
Les Trois Jammeurs – The Three Jamming Musicians
The trio of grapes used to make this wine are like three jazzmen – jammeurs – improvising together in perfect harmony. The Grenache brings bright, juicy, peppery flavours – the piano – while the dark-berry, spicy Syrah – the drummer – offers the structure and the beat, and the perfumed Mourvedre, the bass. The blend was unusual in the region before we produced it, but it will be familiar to many from its use in the Rhône and Australia. We love those wines but think ours has a character of its own.
Robert Joseph loves jazz, but if that kind of music isn’t your thing, imagine members of a sports team who play off their individual strengths to win games.
TASTING NOTES
Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre are brilliantly compatible – as many people will have discovered in great examples from the Rhone Valley. The blend gives spicy blackberryish flavours, dark plum, black cherry dark fruit and a hint of pepper. There is also a distinctive mineral, perfumed note that comes from the Mourvedre. The different soils and altitudes contribute hugely too.
FOOD STYLE
Perfect with all full-flavoured meat dishes, and ideal with traditional French cuisine as well as more international dishes whose flavours include a note of spice.
GRAPE VARIETY
60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Minervois, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
Nil
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
13.5%
ACIDITY
3.25 g/L
PH
3.7
RESIDUAL SUGAR
5 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
150m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Clay and limestone terraces for the Syrah, clay and limestone slopes for the Mourvedre and hillside and deep clay and limestone terraces for the Grenache.
VINE AGE
25 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
LOW – 80hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical Harvesting at night to maintain freshness
ROSÉ
ROSÉ
Le Diamont – The Diamond
Provence makes delicious rosé, but so – now – does our region of Languedoc. Indeed one of the world’s priciest is produced not that far away, and we like to think of this pioneering, pale, dry rosé as the diamond in our collection. We weren’t looking to copy Provence, but we did want to hit some of the same notes with he Grenache grape – the variety associated with that region. Just like the Deux Aristos, we added some of our delicious Syrah to the blend that gives it a brambley note to go with the strawberry and pepper of the Grenache.
TASTING NOTES
Pale pink. Intense aromas of raspberry, strawberry and redcurrant with a hint of pepper. Rich palette with refreshing bright red fruit, brambley and peppery character. Combines dry flavors – it has almost no residual sugar – with lovely fruit-sweetness.
FOOD STYLE
To be drunk by itself, or with a wide range of dishes, including ones prepared with oriental spices.
GRAPE VARIETY
85% Grenache, 15% Shiraz
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Minervois, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
Nil
CELLARING POTENTIAL
Enjoy now
ALCOHOL
12.5%
ACIDITY
4.42 g/L
PH
3.16
RESIDUAL SUGAR
1.9 g/L
PINOT NOIR
PINOT NOIR
Le Soliste Têtu – The Obstinate Soloist
Pinot Noir usually hates being blended, so it’s famously a soloist. It’s also stubborn – têtu –, about where it will reveal its unique cherry-and-raspberry flavours. Before us, no one thought of planting it in our ancient, high altitude vineyards in Southern France. Robert Joseph lived and worked for several years in Burgundy and knows how tricky it can be – and how rewarding to get right. When we began working on le Grand Noir 15 years ago, very few people imagined it was possible to make fine Pinot Noir in Languedoc – but that was also true for the pioneers of California, Oregon, New Zealand and Chile, all of whom are now making world class wines. The secret for us lay in finding a set of vineyards with varying soil, altitudes and microclimates. So, instead of finding one spot in which our soloist could play at her best, we found several – like a musician might enjoy playing in a set of different venues. We’re not trying to copy Burgundy, but we are using Burgundian winemaking techniques to make a world class Pinot Noir we are really proud of.
TASTING NOTES
A very distinctive and immediately enjoyable Pinot Noir, this is a very juicy, raspberryish, cherryish wine with hints of strawberry and oak and a refreshing note of pepper.
FOOD STYLE
Great by itself or to accompany a wide range of meat dishes, but could also be enjoyed with fish such as tuna or salmon.
Serving note: Would be good slightly chilled, especially in warm weather.
GRAPE VARIETY
60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Minervois, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
A small proportion, 10%, is matured in oak barrels
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
12.5%
ACIDITY
2.9 g/L
PH
3.68
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
A wide range of altitudes, from 200 – 400m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Clay and limestone terraces
VINE AGE
10 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low – 80hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical Harvesting at night to maintain freshness
MOSCATO
MOSCATO
La Belle Italienne – The Beautiful Italian
The French way of describing a beautiful – belle – Italian woman reflects how we have subtly adapted the traditional light, grapey style of wine-making associated with this grape to our ancient corner of Southern France. Muscat grapes have been grown in our region for millennia, but we were among the first to think of using them to make a light, fresh and gloriously, gulpably, grapey, lower-alcohol wine like this.
TASTING NOTES
Wonderful floral aromas and juicy peach and melon flavors with just the right amount of sweetness.
FOOD STYLE
Pairs well with salads, grilled chicken or Asian dishes. Delicious on its own.
GRAPE VARIETY
100% Muscat
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
Nil
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
11.5%
ACIDITY
3.75 g/L
PH
3.36
RESIDUAL SUGAR
59 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
50m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Gravel terraces
VINE AGE
15 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low – 60hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical Harvesting at night to maintain freshness
MERLOT
MERLOT
L’Oiseau à Deux Nids – the Bird with Two Nests
We were among the first in our ancient region of Southern France to make this style of Merlot – or its sibling, Les Deux Aristos, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Merlot is said to take its name from merle – blackbird. It is very picky about the soil – or as we might say ‘nest’ – nid – where it performs best. For this delicious, plummy cherryish wine, we brought together grapes from two vineyards with very different soils and altitudes. Hugh Ryman, who lives in Bordeaux and has a chateau in Bergerac loves Merlot and appreciates its challeges.
TASTING NOTES
A distinctive modern Merlot with the typical mulberryish and plummy quality of this variety, coupled with a bright cherry/strawberry note that adds freshness and complexity.
FOOD STYLE
Perfect with all red and white meat dishes, but equally delicious to drink on its own.
GRAPE VARIETY
100% Merlot
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Village of Azille, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
Nil
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
13%
ACIDITY
3.3 g/L
PH
3.6
RESIDUAL SUGAR
4 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean with Oceanic influences
ALTITUDE
90-120m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Alluvial slopes
VINE AGE
20 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low – 80hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical Harvesting at night to maintain freshness
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Copy outstanding from Robert?
TASTING NOTES
The blend of rich blackcurranty Cabernet and brambley, gently peppery Syrah makes this a very distinctive wine. The vanilla character of the oak is present but subtle, and the tannins are softer than in many Cabernets. A very luxurious drink; silky and satisfying.
FOOD STYLE
Good with a range of red meat dishes, but its soft fruity character makes this an attractive wine to drink by itself.
GRAPE VARIETY
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Shiraz
APPELLATION
IGP PAYS D’OC
REGION
Vineyards around Puichéric, Jouarres-Homps and the hilly areas of Caunes-Trausse, Minervois, Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
6 months barrel-aged in French oak and American oak
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
13.5%
ACIDITY
3.3 g/L
PH
3.71
RESIDUAL SUGAR
5 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
100-400m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Alluvial slopes for the Cabernet, clay and limestone terraces for the Syrah
VINE AGE
20 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low – 70hl/ha
HARVEST
Mechanical Harvesting at night to maintain freshness
LES RESERVES BLANC
LE RESERVES BLANC
While our region has earned a reputation for producing fine red wine, whites from its traditional grapes have not always been quite as impressive. We worked very hard with white Grenache, Roussanne and Viognier from our best vineyards to create this Languedoc of which we are really proud. It can be compared to similar blends from the Rhône, but it has its own regional character.
TASTING NOTES
This is an unusually perfumed example of white wine from this region, with a creamy texture, appley, limey fruit and a lovely hint of floral perfume. The oak is subtly in the background.
FOOD STYLE
Freshly enjoyable by itself, this is perfect seafood wine but has enough character to match light red meat dishes.
GRAPE VARIETY
60% Grenache Blanc, 35% Roussanne, 5% Viognier
APPELLATION
AOP Languedoc
REGION
Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
100% in French Oak
CELLARING POTENTIAL
5 Years
ALCOHOL
13.7%
ACIDITY
3.85 g/L
PH
3.65
RESIDUAL SUGAR
<2 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
3000m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Schist and Calcareous soils
VINE AGE
25 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low – 60hl/ha
HARVEST
Manual and mechanical
LES RESERVES ROUGE
LA RESERVES ROUGE
The brilliantly presented wine which we have not produced in every vintage, is the richest and most complex of the Grand Noir range. It showcases the best Syrah and Grenache vineyards and the characteristic character of the Languedoc appellation. We mature the wine in oak barrels, but take care not to allow the flavour of the wood to intrude on the fruit. Like its white counterpart, it is often paired with special dishes and offered as a gift.
TASTING NOTES
The Syrah gives the soft, rich dark bramble fruit with some white pepper, while the Grenache contributes some cherry and strawberry character and some additional spice. These flavors are complemented by subtle vanilla & coffee notes from the oak casks.
FOOD STYLE
Perfect with all rich meat dishes, including beef, lamb and game such as venison and pheasant.
GRAPE VARIETY
55% Syrah, 45% Grenache
APPELLATION
AOP Languedoc
REGION
Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
100% in French Oak for 12 months
CELLARING POTENTIAL
3 Years
ALCOHOL
14%
ACIDITY
3.05 g/L
PH
3.8
RESIDUAL SUGAR
<2 g/L
CLIMATE
Mediterranean
ALTITUDE
300m
EXPOSITION & SOIL
Limestone soil, exposed South & South-East facing slopes
VINE AGE
60 Years
DENSITY
4000 Vines/ha
YIELD
Low – 40hl/ha
HARVEST
Manual and mechanical
BRUT RESERVE
BRUT RESERVE
When we set out to make our first sparkling wine, we weren’t looking to copy Champagne or Prosecco or any other French example. Copying is not our style; we wanted a stylish, but easy to drink fizz so, unusually we blended appley Colombard grapes with Chardonnay. To get the finest bubbles, we used the same method as Champagne, but we took care not to have the toastiness or acid bite that is the mark of many wines from that region.
TASTING NOTES
Green, yellow colour, with greenish background, elegant bubbles. Fairly intense aromas of yellow fruit and with great complexity, with soft hints of good ageing and lees. Dry & fresh in the mouth, due to its appropriate acidity and pleasant carbonic content, balanced and juicy.
FOOD STYLE
To be drunk by itself, or with a wide range of dishes.
GRAPE VARIETY
85% Chardonnay, 15% Colombard
APPELLATION
Vin de France
REGION
Languedoc Roussillon
OAK MATURATION
Nil
CELLARING POTENTIAL
Enjoy now
ALCOHOL
11.5%
ACIDITY
5.2 g/L
PH