Above is the map of the Southern Region Of France known as The Languedoc. 46% Of the Wines coming out of this area come from the Large Area in Pink…Corbieres.
The Grapes…Mostly Rhone Varietals
You can still be a “RHONE RANGER” and find your Grenache, Syrah, Carignan And Mourvedre type wines that are very complex and rich but not damaging to your Wallet. I like Minervois , Carcassonne and Saint Chinian but for me the best bang for the buck comes out of CORBIERES
The Sichel Family And Chateau Trillol Corbieres
Owned by the Sichel family (Chateau Palmer, Margaux )since 1990, Château Trillol is perched high up in the foothills of the Pyrenees at an altitude of 400 metres (1,312ft) in the AOC Corbières winegrowing region. The mysterious castles close by, with their thousand years of history, add to the majesty of this outstanding, unspoiled natural environment.
The Sichel family has undertaken a long-term project of expansion and replanting and the estate now boasts 40 hectares of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan in two distinct terroirs, Termenès and Quéribus.
The altitude of the vines (1,312ft and 656ft) means that the grapes ripen slowly, giving them time to absorb the peppery aromas of the Earthy Terroir to develop length and complexity around a magnificently balanced structure.
2012 Chateau Trillol , Corbieres, Review
52% Grenache, 24% Carignan and 24% Syrah in this Vintage 2012. As I Always remind you that before I give my reviews the wines are opened a minimum of 1 hour in advanced and chilled down to 68 Degrees F and tasted over a 2 day span.
The color is a deep, dark black, ruby garnet center with a fading slightly pinkish hue on the Meniscus (The Edge of the wine when you tilt the glass on it’s side) indicating the wine is 4-5 years old which it is. The aromas bring out what I love (You May Not) The Veggies. Strong Aromas of Broccoli, Herbs De Provence with Lavender followed by black cherry and currant and black plums and from over 2 days a unique aroma of Sunday Morning French Toast (with a hint of that Vanilla) On the palate, this has Medium Weight, Very Bright but Balanced Acidity a core of Juicy Black Fruits mostly Cherry and Plum and finishing with a slight peppery spice, dusty but not too grippy tannins and liquid potpourri. This was a very multilayered well made wine that I can drink on a regular basis. The SICHEL Family comes through again…. I will go 87 Points on this wine and a definite recommended everyday wine for many palates of my guests.
HOW MUCH??? $$$$
I urge you to seek out a great value like this wine from Corbieres at an ABC Fine Wine and Spirits Near You or stop by and see me In Sunrise Florida if you are local. This is $13.99 . All that descriptive, complex flavors and the wine is under $15.00 !! I really believe the best value in all of the Languedoc-Roussillon is from the area of CORBIERES. Seek this wine out and you will be pleased at the quality to price ratio.
Grape-fully yours, Larry
Larry The Wine Guy 