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Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu

You might think of Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu as a co-operative, but this would in fact be incorrect. This is a groupement de producteurs, a collection of small growers who banded together in 1967, centred around Corbières in this instance, to develop a place in the market that would otherwise be denied them. Groups such as these are much larger than co-operatives - Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu has close to 200 members - and are able to produce wine in the sort of quantities demanded by the modern market. This, of course, means the supermarkets.

Members of Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu vinify their own wine, and oversee maturation, rather than selling the grapes as would happen with a co-operative. The role of Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu is therefore commercial, its prime role being marketing the finished product, although it does control blending and bottling. The oenologist with control over operations, and providing advice and assistance to members, is Marc Dubernet.

The leading wine produced here is La Cuvée Mythique, a blend of the southern "improving varieties" Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, together with Carignan and also Cabernet Sauvignon. Those growers that contribute wine to this blend have additional access to the group's resources, as this is their flagship wine. I have tried most recent vintages, (although I'm not quite sure how I missed out on the 1999) and usually find it to be a good value buy. (4/8/04)

Contact details:
Address: 11100 Narbonne
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 68 42 75 36
Fax: +33 (0) 4 67 90 29 20
Internet: www.chateaulaliquiere.com

Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu - Tasting Notes

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Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu La Cuvée Mythique Blanc (VdP d'Oc) 2001: A deep golden hue, with a barrel ferment nose; treacle sponge and honey, with candy-edged tropical fruit counterbalanced by a fresh lemony streak. Big, rich and quite oily on the palate, obvious barrel ferment characteristics again here, and with fairly low acidity. Good structure otherwise though, with some grip from the oak-derived tannins, and some interesting orange and lemon flavours. It has opulence but lacks balance. Nice though. 14/20 (August 2004)

Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu La Cuvée Mythique (VdP d'Oc) 2001: Nice dark colour. A lovely nose, with dense, ripe cherry fruit, black pepper and a smoky-plummy edge. Creamy texture on entry, quickly followed by a little bit of peppery tannin on the midpalate. Beautiful presence of brambly fruit and garrigue, which fades behind the structure on the finish. Fresh, bright acidity. Good for drinking now or a year or two in the cellar. 15.5+/20 (August 2004)

Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu La Cuvée Mythique (VdP d'Oc) 2000: A densely coloured wine. Rich aromas on the nose, which is full of plums and chocolate, although it is marred by a stewed character. Richly textured on the palate, with flavours mirroring the nose, although again that stewed edge. Low acidity. Not as rewarding as previous vintages. 14/20 (January 2003)

Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu La Cuvée Mythique (VdP d'Oc) 1998: This is a youthful and delicious looking glossy red-black wine. The nose is initially all blueberries and blackberries, but it soon closes down leaving just toasty oak and some hard sooty aromas suggestive of tannins. The palate doesn't disappoint - lots of fruit, nicely applied oak, but loads of hard, sooty tannins. Despite this it is very drinkable now, but will doubtless be better in a year or two if properly cellared. 16/20 (February 2001) Label

Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu La Cuvée Mythique (VdP d'Oc) 1997: A reassuring inky purple-red hue, and a nose of ripe, warm, plummy-curranty fruit, with hints of sweaty leather and mint. Very Rhône-like. The palate achieves lovely balance, with firm yet unobtrusive tannins, medium body and lovely fruit. Definitely a large dollop of Syrah in this one. A firm, clean finish. Excellent quality/price ratio. 15.5/20 (June 2000)