Wines of the Languedoc under $40

My value group got together last night to taste thru some wines from the Languedoc. It was a very good tasting and showed (once again) that there are really good wines being produced there that do not cost an arm and a leg. Most were tried and true producers, but some were new to me. When you consider that the last few vintages on the shelves are all some degree of good it is worth stocking up on a few of these for drinking over the next five years or so. After the tasting, a few of us talked that we should really do this again with some other producers, so if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

The wines were served blind over the course of a few hours. Artisan breads and cheeses accompanied them.

The starter:

• 2005 Domaine Jo Pithon Savennières La Croix Picot 91 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

  This took some time to open up in part because it was a bit cold when served. The nose had a bit of gunpowder but turned to waxy grapefruit with air. Nice acidity with yellow grapefruit notes on the palate. Long finish. As it developed, it had more and more complexity. I had not had a dry Chenin in a while and I forgot how much I enjoyed them. This was quite enjoyable.

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The reds:

• 2005 Domaine d'Aupilhac Coteaux du Languedoc Montpeyroux 90 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Montpeyroux

  I have had this wine a few time since release. I loved it on release but then it shut down pretty tight. It is still tight although starting to open, it really needs more time and/or air. Inky purple in color. The nose has a good amount of barnyard funk with black raspberries. Juicy, full bodied texture. Slight tannins that grew with air. Some heat. Needs time.

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• 2007 Château de Lascaux Coteaux du Languedoc 88 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose has spice, cedar and raspberries. Sweet red fruit. Soft texture. Juicy raspberries. Smooth, easy to drink, begs for some food. Solid.

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• 2008 Château Saint Martin Faugères 87 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Faugères

  Purple in color with some ruby swirls. The nose is tight eventually giving way to spice and raspberries. Sweet red raspberries on the palate. Juicy texture. Some graphite on the back end. Also some menthol on the finish. Long. Nice wine and I see Calvert Woodley has these for $9. At that price, a nice wine to drink this summer. Probably the least complex wine on the table, but enjoyable.

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• 2005 Gérard Bertrand Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Grand Terroir 86 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel

  I liked this wine, but it seemed to fade as the evening went on. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has a distinct vegetal aroma that will certainly be off putting to some. One taster described it as Brussels sprouts which I agreed with. I went with the slightly cooked dill kosher pickle aroma (I prefer the really well cooked style myself). There was not much fruit on the nose. Sweet red raspberry on the palate turning slightly bitter on the finish. Lacing in the juicy texture most of these had. Still, it was easy to drink and had some interesting qualities that I would certainly drink the bottle.

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• 1996 Domaine de Peyre Rose Coteaux du Languedoc Clos Syrah Leone 84 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc

  I was surprised as to the price on this. Apparently purchased recently "on sale" for $35. Wine-Searcher shows it available in France for $90. Purple/maroon in color. The nose is gamey, a bit over the hill with some green notes and also some red raspberries. Not bad. On the palate, this is nice. While some commented on its complexities, I found it one dimensional and past prime. Drinkable and enjoyable, but nothing special. It faded in the glass.

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• 2007 Château Saint-Roch (Languedoc) Côtes du Roussillon Villages Chimères 91 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages

  Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cedar, spice, black raspberries, and floral notes. Sweet black raspberry jam on the palate. Juicy and lush. Long finish. This kept getting better all night long. The groups WOTN. $20 Ohio, but $15 in the free world. This should improve in the cellar and be good for at least five years.

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• 2006 Gérard Bertrand Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape Château l'Hospitalet La Reserve 89 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape

  Purple/ruby in color. The nose has spice, slight roasted meats and raspberries. On the palate, sweet raspberry jam. Long finish. This seemed slightly one dimensional but was expanding with air. The group preferred this more than I, although I certainly liked it.

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• 2002 Domaine Clavel Coteaux du Languedoc La Méjanelle Copa Santa 91 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc La Méjanelle

  I liked this more than the group. It was the wine in the best place for me. Purple/ruby in color. Some funk on the nose with black raspberries. Juicy texture. Layers of earth and black raspberries. Some tannins. Showing a bit of maturity, but I did not think past prime. I don't think I would hold these much longer, but it was very good.

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