The Minervois is one of the many regions in the Languedoc that is
currently undergoing somewhat of a revival. Estates such as Borie du
Maurel are establishing quite a reputation for lush, herby, sometimes
sexy reds. Another of the emerging quality-minded producers is
Château Coupe-Roses, and I was pleased to catch up with this producer
at a recent trade fair. Apparently, despite the high reputation of the
celebrated 1998 vintage in the South of France, 1999 was even better
in the Minervois, with more homogeneous grapes producing wines in a
more open style. I was impressed by the three reds, but I'd tip the
less expensive Les Plots as the one to go for, because it's a less
ambitious wine that works brilliantly, without the excess new oak of
the loftier cuvées. However, given a few years, this oak may well
integrate.
Minervois White 2000
Very modern fruity white with racy acidity. Good+
1999 Minervois Les Plots
(Available in Majestic.) A super wine that represents great value
for money: for me, this typifies why the Languedoc is such an exciting
place at the moment. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, this is
a perfumed wine with a bright nose of herby, medicinal fruit. The
palate is full and lovely, with a mineral edge and some tannin. Very
good+
1999 Minervois Cuvée Prestige
This expressive wine is actually a varietal Grenache that has seen
some new oak. The dense herby/smoky nose shows firm tannins with good
density and concentration. It's quite firm now, and there's still new
oak evident, but this will probably integrate with time. Very good+
1999 Minervois Cuvée Orience
Varietal Syrah aged in new oak. There's a big menthol kick on the
nose from the new oak, with chunky, smoky fruit underneath. With firm
tannins on the palate, this is dense, concentrated stuff, perhaps with
a little too much new oak evident at the moment. Very good+