Score: 90/100
This Pic Saint Loup by famous local winery l’Hortus is a classical Languedoc blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah.
The terroir grapes were grown on is a land of low foothills with brown soil made of limestone scree dating from the Cretaceous period. Hill slopes slightly vary in altitudes between 150 and 200 meters (500-600 feet).
After harvested, grapes were de-stemmed and crushed and spent 10 to 30 days in vats depending on the grapes and their maturity. The maturation of Grenache and Syrah happened in vats for 12 months, while the Mourvèdre staid in used oak barrels (already used for 2 wines prior).
Tasting Notes
This Languedoc red comes in a fairly dark red color, an intense red to the core, and a lighter red with hints of purple hues to the rim.
The nose is intense, and very spicy.
Plenty of ripe mixed berries aroma, the fresh kind as well as some of the jammy type, marry a heap of lifted black and white pepper notes. Smelling the wine, you get both a deep feel from the darkness of the fruit characters (as in they are very ripe) and the intense dark chocolate and vanilla aromas, but also a sense of minty and lively spiciness. Interesting and pleasing!
The palate follows suit. This is a dry red, featuring a crisp and vibrant acidity that underlines keenly the juicy raspberry ripe blueberry flavors. The body is round and generous, a little oily, and warming too, but never overwhelming with too much power. Very balanced overall, on the generously-flavored side, with opulent spiciness and a warming effect from such ripe fruit flavors and indeed a perceptibly respectable alcohol level.
Mid-length finish delivers a juicy bite from the tannins and the acidity, a grippy feel that makes you salivate and helps you capture the delicate berry peeps flavors, on a slightly vegetal note. A nice savory touch to end a tasting experience that leaves you wanting to go for another sip. Always a good sign!
Overall
A very well-rounded Languedoc red, characterful, generous, as well as balanced. The opulence and abundance of its ripe fresh berry flavors make its tasting lively, while layered spices, pepper but also nutmeg and cardamom, backed up by touches of oaky vanilla and caramel, give each sip and every second of the tasting a different point of interest for your palate to focus on. As I said earlier, both interesting and definitely pleasing!
Enjoy 🙂
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