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Wines of the Languedoc from Joseph Barnes

Joseph Barnes Wines is an independent retailer operating from a retail site in the market town of Saffron Walden in North Essex, but also with a user-friendly online presence. The firm specialises in wines from the South and Southwest of France, both areas which I have examined in some detail on The Winedoctor over the past couple of years. I've been impressed by many wines coming from these regions, both by sheer quality as well as value for money. Naturally I was pleased to be able to take a closer look at some of the wines from the Joseph Barnes portfolio recently.

Joseph Barnes Wines I tasted wines from three domaines, the first being La Jasse Castel. Created in 1998 by Pascale Marcillaud and her husband, this domaine comprises 7.5 ha of vineyard and the resulting wines, based on this brief tasting, are just lovely. There were two exemplary examples of St Chinian from Domaine de Tabatau, run by brothers Jean-Paul and Bruno Gracia, the latter having left his post as vineyard manager at Mas de Daumas Gassac to join his brother at their own domaine, just west of St Chinian itself. I think these two wines were the stars of this selection, although only by a very small margin. Finally, two good wines from Chateau St Jacques d'Albas at Laure-Minervois, a domaine owned and run by British ex-pat Graham Nutter.

All my tasting notes are presented below. I have no commercial connection with Joseph Barnes wines; I do not engage in the retail of wine as I feel that blurs the boundary between critic/writer and retailer, and I make no commission on sales. I have included the Joseph Barnes prices (inclusive of duty and VAT, in brackets) as well as wine-searcher links (where prices are listed ex-VAT), for transparency. (28/6/06)

Wines of the Languedoc from Joseph Barnes - Tasting Notes

The following wines were tasted in June 2006. Click to locate stockists:

La Jasse Castel Coteaux du Languedoc Les Intillières 2004: This is 70% Cinsaut, 30% Carignan. It has a lovely oxblood hue, fading to a grey-red rim. Flowers, blackberry fruit and fresh blossom on the nose, with notes of plum and spices. Nice, gently structured on entry, with a pleasant level of fruit and a slightly chalky-charcoally tannic structure. Just a little hint of creaminess, with appealing blueberry and black pepper flavours. Overall, very nicely put together especially for these two varieties, the result being an unassuming, nicely balanced, rounded wine which is a treat with food. Good. 16.5/20 (£8.85)

La Jasse Castel Montpeyroux La Jasse 2002: This is a Syrah dominated blend, this accounting for 75%, the remainder 20% Grenache and 5% Cinsaut, aged in oak for one year. It has a delightful crimson-raspberry hue, not too dark and deep, but nicely concentrated right out to the rim. Nice sweet fruit on the nose, with a little meaty-furry overlay which is subtle and very attractive. The picture is completed by a lovely presence on the palate, gently creamy on entry, then revealing some structure through the midpalate, but always under the cover of a layer of marrowy fruit and nice extract. What oak has been employed has been done well, as it has integrated nicely, and most pleasing of all the wine has a reserved, elegant balance as it rolls around the mouth. Slowly fading finish. Very good indeed, not forced or overdone, just appealing fruit and an attractive balance. 17/20 (£10.45)

Domaine du Tabatau St Chinian Camprigou 2003: A blend of Carignan, Grenache and Cinsaut which has a lovely colour, a vibrant cherry red with a nice depth. Herby-cherry Grenache fruit on the nose, reminiscent of garrigue twigs with a sweet black cherry coating. Good presence on entry, unassuming but with a nicely rounded character, leading into a middleweight palate, leant a little texture by some nicely extracted tannins and fruit. An appealing, dry style, showing a tannic face on the finish, and which is just lovely with food. Very good. 17/20 (£7.95)

Domaine du Tabatau St Chinian Lo Tabataire 2003: A slightly deeper, richer, more glossy hue to this blend which is dominated by Syrah, which is quite evident on the nose, together with Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre. The nose has piles of quite classic, sweet berry and black pepper fruit that just screams Syrah, together with little oaky, mint-laced nuances. Lovely texture on entry, which persists through the palate, supported by some deliciously ripe tannins which only really come out from the covers on the very finish. Fairly low acidity, so this wine is unmistakeably a child of the 2003 vintage, but I find it very pleasing nevertheless. Delicious and ripely structured. For short-term drinking. 17/20 (£9.50)

Domaine St Jacques d'Albas Minervois 2002: A blend of Carignan, Syrah and Grenache, essentially this is Graham's second wine. Good depth of colour, rather a dark cherry-oxblood hue with a vibrant pink rim. Rather a vivacious nose, notes of raspberry on toast with a little caramel twist, later showing some smoky, sweetly roasted meats. A nice, elegantly creamy style on the palate, ripe and rounded, and yet reserved, although it has a gently caressing nature. Some macerated berry fruit tinged with chocolate, and a fresh presence. Soft, ripe tannins and a decent length here. Very good, for current and short-term drinking I think. 16.5/20 (£7.00)

Chateau St Jacques d'Albas Minervois 2003: A blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Carignan and 10% Syrah, aged in oak for one year. A very dark, inky hue, as one might expect from this vintage. An appealing nose, perhaps just a little porty in style, with dried blueberry and blackberry fruit, along with notes of rose petals, chocolate and toffee. And then meaty notes, like Bovril. Certainly this has plenty of interest. A rich, mouthfilling style, quite typical of 2003. The acidity seems very low on the palate, nevertheless there is a good, grippy structure providing some backbone, and there is an attractive poise on the palate, carrying the opulent, chocolate-toffee edged fruit. Plenty of extract and richness here. I like this. 17/20 (£8.25)