Visiting two wineries in Minervois

I visited the two wineries with HamishW, a wine guy exporting wines from France and organizer of wine tours in Bordeaux and other areas, whom I got to know through the CT Forums. We met at Coupe Roses, where the owners introduced us to the wines. The wines are organically grown and there are several vineyards with special properties that can be tasted in the wines (such as the white that I bought). It was clear that they were dedicated to making wine that reflected the terroir, without interfering with chemicals. A very enjoyable time was spent going through the range. After Coupe Roses, we went to the village of Aigne for lunch and were given the Garnaxa and Orience to enjoy with lunch. After lunch we headed to Domaine La Prade Mari and met the owners there as well. Hamish has been helping out the Maris with making and marketing the wine, so he had many stories to tell. The wines were fabulous.

• 2009 Château Coupe Roses Côtes de Brian Cuvée Champ du Roy

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Côtes de Brian

  Tasted at the winery. Very floral, apricotty, good acidity to keep up the wine. A blend of Viognier, Marsanne, Muscat and Grenache Blanc. Yummy!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2010 Château Coupe Roses Minervois Blanc

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. This is a 100% Roussanne from a single vineyard with a lot of schist. Very flinty, lots of minerals, complex notes, grassy, good acidity. It will be interesting to see how this ages. Got a bottle and will wait a year or two before I pop it. Very good!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2010 Château Coupe Roses Minervois Frémillant

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. Quite nice light strawberry, even some cherry, good acidity, enjoyable.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Château Coupe Roses Minervois La Bastide

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. A blend of Carignane abd Grenache. Fruity with lots of tannins, a bit of a horsey background smell, no oak, easy drinking.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Château Coupe Roses Minervois Les Plots

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignane. Lots of cassis, licorice, a strong wine, good tannins, feels like it has the structure to last. Got a couple of bottles.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Château Coupe Roses Minervois Cuvée Granaxa

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. This vintage 100% Grenache. Mmmm, this was very nice on the nose, subtle plums, inky, a bit of toffee, milk chocolate, a good dose of tannins. Very nice! Got a couple of bottles.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Château Coupe Roses Minervois Cuvée Orience

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. This vintage 100% Syrah. An elegant wine, with meaty, subtle red fruit, sees new oak, had lots of tannins, spicey. Very good. Got a bottle.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2010 Domaine La Prade Mari Viognier

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc

  Tasted at the winery. Light peach and apricot on the nose, a bit of sweetness on the palate, good acidity, this was a very pleasant Viognier, light, fruity and downright delicious.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Domaine La Prade Mari Minervois Secret de Fontenille

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. 40% Grenache, 40% Carignane, 20% Syrah, the entry level red. A light, fruity, cherry, some tannins, sees no oak. An easy wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2007 Domaine La Prade Mari Minervois Conte des Garrigues

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah. The nose had lots of bright red cherry, very elegant, with a nice sweetness and a spiceyness. Very, very good! Got two bottles.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2007 Domaine La Prade Mari Minervois Gourmandise des Bois

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache, from old vines. Ooh, very elegant, cassis, slight hint of vanilla, even orange peel, some toffee on the palate, good tannins. This is really good! Got two bottles for the cellar.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

All in all, a wonderful day spent in the vinuous world of the Minervois. Thanks to Hamish for taking us to the wineries!