Castalides Edition 2013 Languedoc Pézenas - Domaine La Grange

Castalide Edition is the upmarket cuvée of the range, noted 91-93 by Robert Parker. It comes from the Pézenas appellation - often called the "Grand Cru region in Languedoc" by wine amateurs. Elaborated from the best plots of Syrah and Grenache (each of them being vinified and aged separately), it boasts profound aromas of ripe black fruit, cherries, black pepper and liquorice. Finish is unbelievably long with a hint of vanilla and hazelnuts. A truly magnificent wine.

 

Drink from now to 2023

Open 2 hours before, ideally decanted

Serve at 16-18°C

 

This high-end Languedoc will be at its best over a delicate meat such as duck.

Soil: Rocks, clay, limestone

Harvest: Manual

Ageing: Oak barrels

Alcohol: 14.5%

91-93/100 "Tasted from barrel, the 2013 Pézenas Castalides Edition (Syrah/Grenache) offers medium to full-bodied richness, a beautiful texture, integrated acidity and gorgeous notes of blackberry, crushed rocks, smoked earth and pepper. While this doesn’t skimp or fruit or texture, it really shows the purity and finesse-driven style of the vintage. Like the cuvee Icône, it should drink well on release, yet evolve gracefully. This estate, under the leadership of Renate and Rolf Freund, continues to knock it out of the park. I loved their 2011s last year, and these 2012s and 2013s are just as good."

** Remarkable wine (2011 vintage) "This young domain created in 2007 makes this Castalides cuvée - names after the flowers. It has an intense nose of cassis and baked blackcurrant with notes of liquorice and mint. Palate is round and shows a beautiful density, structured by tannins which will integrate the wine over time. A fruity wine with a nice aromatic consistency to serve this winter with a red meat in a sauce.”