Domaine De Fontseque - Corbieres 2011

Domaine De Fontseque

Corbieres 2011

From the heat of the South of France, from Corbieres, this was a big wine. A deep and rich colour, with smooth but powerful flavours. This was an intense and robust wine that accompanied a gentle pasta dish, but would have been better with a bigger flavoured dish. This was not a gentle wine to savour, rather this had power and aftertaste, leaving a tough dryness on the palate.

From the label:

Corbieres is one of the best-known wine regions of Southern France famous for its robust, intensely flavoured reds. Crafted by winemaker Gerard Bertrand using a fine blend of Carignan, Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvedre and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. The wine is rich and aromatic with generous blackcurrant flavours and spicy, smokey hints on a lingering finish.

At its best...serve this wine with peppered steak, lamb or beef, casseroles, or full-flavoured cheeses.

Bottled at Saint Andre de Roquelongue.

14.5%

Marks & Spencer - £9.99 (- 25% offer for multiple buy)

Minervois 2011 - SYRAH / CARIGNAN

Minervois 2011 - SYRAH / CARIGNAN, Sud de France

Gerard Bertrand

A big french red with a subtle nose. A beautiful colour in the glass. There was a very noticeable fruity aroma that was evocative but I could not place the smell which was frustrating, perhaps damp blackberries picked from the Devon hedgerow. It was very easy to relax with this wine although it was big and powerful.

label description:

"Driven by his passion for the Mediterranean lifestyle, Gerard Bertrand reveals all the unique character of the region's finest wine terroirs. The Minervois is one of the most renowned Appellations in the South of France, characterized by hilly landscapes. 
Deep red colour. Complex notes and blackberries and cocoa. Elegant, round and full bodied with rich aromas of ripe plums and roasted coffee.
Ideal at 18C with grilled red meats and mature cheeses."