Wine of the Week: Mas Belles Eaux Les Coteaux

Languedoc wines are not all that well known to wine drinkers in the US. This is obviously a shame as many are very similar in structure and quality to wines from the Rhone Valley at a lesser price. Due to its location on the coast of the Mediterranean and at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains, the Languedoc benefits from hot, dry summers and relatively mild winters.

The vineyard of Mas Belles Eaux stretches over the hillsides of the southeast Languedoc. The vineyards of Mas Belles Eaux are planted solely with the traditional grape varieties of the Languedoc: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. The Les Coteaux parcel is divided up exclusively of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre and are situated half-way up the hillside for optimum exposure to the sun.

2005, Mas Belles Eaux Les Coteaux, Languedoc, France - $18

Overall, this was a fun wine. The aromas of spice, oak and red berries led to a very nice and lively palate of raspberries, cherries and smoke. The body is medium to full-bodied and shows some nice complexity.

2005 was a terrific year all around in France and the Languedoc was no exception. Wine Spectator gave the ‘05 a 91 pt rating and although this was a fun wine, I would give it an 89. However, the price point on this wine is terrific and makes it a clear bargain!

This wine is available at the NH Liquor store off of Exit 6 (behind the Nashua Mall).

Wine of the Week: Mas Belles Eaux Les Coteaux

One to try one to avoid (part deux)

The dreary nature of this past weekend led me to partake in a couple bottles of wine. I selected a couple of random bottles to shake things up a little. Although they have the same grape in both of the wines, the conditions and blends make for two amazingly different experiences. The two wines we will be looking at today are from Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône region of France and Atea in the Calatayud region of Spain.

Avoid:
2007, Evodia, Old Vine Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain - $10

This was an interesting wine from the onset. Grenache (or Garnacha in Spain) is by nature a spicy, berry forward grape that as a stand alone is surprising and very good when well crafted. However, in my opinion, it can range greatly in quality, which is the case with the Evodia.

The pigment is a beautiful dark purple/almost black, but that is where the exuberance ended. The nose of this wine was very disjointed with hints of wet stone/cinder block and an unusual cherry dominating with the traditional influence of spice and black pepper certainly evident. The palate took on sour cherry, spice, and oak. Contrary to other reviews that I read after, I found there to be some sharpness to this wine.

Overall, I give this wine 84 points, but I am not convinced that the 88 pts attributed to it by Wine Advocate and International Wine Cellar is justified. For $10 I guess you can give it a shot; however I would pass on it. It is very average and there are other wines in that range that I would look to first, but then again this is only my opinion.

Try:
2006, Domaine Roger Perrin, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, France - $33

As is most Rhone wines, Grenache plays a primary role, however you will rarely find it as a stand alone. In this case, Grenache has been blended with Cinsault, Mourvédre, Syrah and a couple others to create this delicious wine. The Rhône has perfected the art of growing these grapes and mastering how to blend them. In many instances, you can find very inexpensive wines that taste of far higher quality. As far as Châteauneufs are concerned, the 2006 Roger Perrin is on the lower/middle side of cost. So how was it?

The hue shone of a very nice deep burgundy and the aroma poured forth straight from the bottle. The nose exhibited blackberry and spice, while the palate was alive with blackberry and cherry, with pepper and a little leather coming in later. Towards the end you could feel some of the heat that was kicked off by the alcohol. The berry finish was nice and long and the wine exuded a certain level of confidence and balance.

For a $33 Châteauneuf I was quite happy with this. It was by no means amazingly complex like its bigger siblings, but it was very pleasant and ready to drink now. I give this wine a 90 pt rating and would recommend it to anyone who asks.

Both of wine is available at the NH Liquor store off of Exit 6 (behind the Nashua Mall). If you have a chance to try them, let us know what you think!

One to try one to avoid (part deux)

Fun Fact: Wine Origins

Most people think of France when they think of the birthplace of fine wine. In many respects they may be correct. The French certainly have perfected the craft, but were they the first?

For years, historians, archaeologists and scientists have been trying to isolate the origins of wine. Popular belief is that wine originated in the Middle East or immediate surrounding areas. The most common countries associated with the birth of wine are Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Iran.

Although there is no disputing the fact that the wine consumed at that time would barely resemble what is consumed now, there is physical proof that inhabitants during that time created, stored and attempted to age wine!

There have been vessels unearthed which contained residue of stored wine and preservative agents, the oldest of which dates back 8,000 years. It was unearthed in what is today the Republic of Georgia.

Since then, many of the countries associated with wine’s origins have gone through transformations which have shifted there interest away from wine production. The most notable event would be the spread of Islam (in the 700s A.D.), a religion that forbids the consumption of alcohol.

The Greeks and later the Romans had no such restrictions and gladly picked up the mantel. They continuously sought to improve their wines and even laid the foundations of what would become the current wine strongholds of France and Italy. When these empires expanded, the presence of wine expanded along with them. The Romans would not only bring their own vines, but also cultivate wild vines growing in the different regions.

Regardless of its origins, wine has always been a very integral part of civilization. It has always lent itself to improving the quality of life of everyone who consumed it out of appreciation and not excess.


Sources (Text):
- Johnson, Hugh; Jancis Robinson. The World Atlas of Wine: Sixth Edition. Mitchell Beazley. Pgs.12 & 285.
- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/now-thats-what-you-call-a-real-vintage-professor-unearths-8000yearold-wine-577863.html
Source (Image):
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Satyrs_vine_press_BM_D550.jpg

Fun Fact: Wine Origins