Wine Review 2010

20
Lot # Wine Year M D Comment
Cellar Offering 175
SOUTHERN FRANCE 2006 VINTAGE
In general, the 2006 vintage was highly successful across the whole of the southern half of France. Fine weather conditions, with timely
showers that refreshed the grapes after periods of intense heat, saved the quality from over-ripeness with a corresponding loss of
acidity. All of the wines made by Louis Mandeville-Peirière on the Mondeville property were initially very slow to show any development
of their aroma and flavours and, for two years, they appeared to be thin and tight with flavours more reminiscent of crushed stone and
mineral than generous fruit.
During the past year, the early reluctance to show development has turned around and they now offer much fuller levels of generosity, fine
fruit characters with modest tannins that have softened considerably. All of the Louis Mondeville wines and those of the family domaine,
the Domaine Peiriere, are now very approachable with reasonably easy fruit, modestly firm structures and (if not long) a clean finish.
They are not made for long keeping, so should be used during this year. If some are left, they can be equally enjoyed through the next
two years.
4018 &
4021
Louis Mondeville Merlot 2006 9 9 Now much softer than twelve months ago.
4022 Louis Mondeville Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 9 10 Attractive. A little stalky, but there are no problems.
4023 Louis Mondeville Syrah 2006 9 9 Sturdy. Warming. Good level of fruit with notes of malic and
tannic acidity.
4024 Chardonnay, Organic, Vin de Pays d’Oc 2006 10 10 This has had a new lease on life. It is tasting well and full-bodied.
4029 Domaine Peirière Viognier, 2006 10 10 This property never gets much beef into its Viognier.
Vin de Pays d’Oc Rather thin and stalky. Nuances of unripe apple acidity give it
some length.
4030 Domaine Peirière Merlot, 2006 9 9 Merlot spice. Some piquancy. Black berries and hints of shrub
Vin de Pays d’Oc flowers. Deep down there’s a tough of liquorice.
ALAIN GRIGNON, L.G.I.
Notes describing the wines of Louis Mondeville are substantially appropriate for those from the individual cellars, whose wines are
offered through the international négociant, Alain Grignon, one of the foremost experts in the wines of the Midi.
4040 Domaine Mondie Syrah-Merlot,
Vin de Pays d’Oc
2006 9 9 Delicious. Just about at its best now.
4041 Domaine Fontjun, AOC Saint Chinian 2006 9 9 Ripe, structured, long flavoured and rather good. This is a far
better wine now that its initial rush of tannin has softened and
combined generously with the red fruit flavour.
4042 Château Salitis Cuvée Premium, 2005 8 8 This is a perennial favourite. The wines are beautifully made
AOC Cabardes and balanced, never showing any extremes. They have plenty
of interest and body.
4043 Domaine Castan Les Terres Rouge, 2006 8 8 These wines come from vineyards planted on the soils from
Côteaux Languedoc extinct volcanic activity. They all have a note of tobacco leaf in
their aroma, with fine strands of mixed black fruit emphasizing
black cherry and plums on the palate.
4044 Le Rouge de l’Azerolle, Minervois 2006 8 9 Harmonious. Rounded. Soft with a flavour of spice and ripe
hedgerow fruit.
4045 Domaine Barroubio Muscat, 2006 8 8 No need to hurry, Muscat with this amount of weight on the
St Jean de Minervois palate, well balanced by the grape acidity, will last many years.
Wine Review 2010