Home > Trade Tastings > Wines of the Languedoc from Pic Wines
Wines of the Languedoc from Pic Wines
Pic Wines is a delightful new company which operates from the Languedoc,
although you may be surprised to learn that its directors Helen Genevier and
Julie Statham originate from the UK, from Birmingham and Manchester to be
precise. They both gravitated to the Languedoc, having found themselves
captivated by the rugged garrigue, the pace of life, and, of course, the wine.
It was a natural next step for them to set up a small business shipping these wines to the UK. The wines of the Languedoc have long found favour at my table, but recently I have been exploring the region afresh, bringing myself up to date with this region which has seen a rapid pace of change in recent years. It was therefore a delight to sample a few wines from the Pic Wines range. The Pic Wines portfolio includes a number of rising stars of the Languedoc, such as Domaine Rimbert, Chateau Cazal Viel, Chateau la Liquiere, Chateau la Roque and Domaine Navarre. The wines are sourced direct from the vineyard on receipt of the customer's order. This is the next best thing to visiting the vineyard and buying the wine there yourself! (7/4/04)
Pic Wines - Tasting Notes
Tasted in April 2004.
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stockists:
Domaine Navarre St Chinian 'Le Laouzil' 2002: A dark, youthful colour.
A nose of dark, tarry, berry fruits with notes of earth and stone. The palate is
thickly textured, almost unctuous, contrasted against plenty of slightly sooty,
grippy tannin. An acidity on the low side helps to create the luscious, opulent
mouthfeel. Plenty of spicy alcohol gives some pleasure too, and there is an
appealing mineral perfume edge to the blackberry fruit. Very drinkable indeed, but with a year or two in the cellar
I can see this transforming into a balanced, perfumed, characterful wine of
great interest. 17+/20
Chateau la Liquiere
Faugères Vielles Vignes 2002: A moderate depth
of colour here, but still obviously youthful. The nose has sweet and herby black
cherry fruit which suggests a large proportion of Grenache in the final blend.
Full, rounded, texture on the palate, but with a firm acidity too. An appealing
chalkiness to the tannins which are still a touch prominent. Plenty of flavour
and character too. This is drinkable now, but will benefit from perhaps a year
in the cellar to allow those tannins to integrate. 15.5+/20
Domaine Rimbert St Chinian 'Le Mas au Schiste' 2002: Schist is a
fabulous terroir for viticulture. This example still has the bright red purple
colour of youth. Vibrant black fruits, dark cherries, a touch of black olives
and chocolate on the nose. The palate has a similar vibrancy, with pure and
bright dark fruits carried along by crisp, well defined acidity, with ripe
tannins in the background. This has elegance, balance and great fluidity on the
palate, and dark fruits as flavour. It is delicious to savour now, but with year
or two it will only improve as those tannins integrate further. 16.5/20
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