Maison Ventenac
A touch of pepperiness to the fruit, and more concentrated berry juice, a touch of damson amongst the raspberry. The tannins are grippy but superfine, extending the pure, deep, ripe fruits into the finish. A little touch of grassiness gives away the variety. Very well balanced, very well made, seductive and pure, ripe Cabernet Franc. Age a few bottles if you can - they deserve it.
Maison Ventenac
Deep and inviting nose, with a touch of the herbal and earthy that you might expect from Cab Franc. More red pepper than green though. Medium-bodied, juicy and deep in fruit, very fine though fairly lush tannins and a silky whisp of a finish. Feline and pure.
Maison Ventenac
Beautiful sense of purity to the raspberry fruit, aromatically vibrant. Light to medium-bodied, juicy and positive. Gentle, tight-knit tannins, and very well balanced. Very well made wine, with no green notes, just juicy fruit.
Domaine Fournier Longchamps
Little touch of spicy oak here is a little bit more noticeable than on the other cuvées, but it just adds a little spark of spice and it works well. Precise, focused, fairly light in style but with a little weight on the mid-palate helping it work with food and satisfy in general. Medium length finish. Doesn't quite have the confidence and charisma of the Chamboureau, but is very good.
Domaine Fournier Longchamps
Fresh pear, fresh green apple and a touch of honey on the nose. Decent weight on the palate, a touch of richness and perhaps a tiny hint of residual sugar that helps counteract the bristling acidity. Medium length, well balanced, classic and focused.
Domaine Fournier Longchamps
Very pale green-gold colour. Daffodil and apple skin, very Chenin nose in its most floral guise. Light-bodied, pretty cutting acidity. Focused, gently saline. Not terribly long, lacks a little weight of fruit, but true to type.
Domaine Fournier Longchamps
Pale, pure and pretty - light and amiable if no great depth or concentration to the flavour, but that's not really the point here. It's not more complex than a flower, and doesn't need to be - the palate is perfectly balanced and it's a real pleasure to drink.
Domaine Gourt de Mautens
A co-planted blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picardan, Piquepoul Blanc, Piquepoul Gris, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier grown in Rasteau terroir, bottled as IGP Vaucluse. Natural yeasts, fermented in old demi-muid and foudre, bottled unfiltered. Curious nose; fresh, citrusy, slightly waxy, floral notes. Touch of reduction. Full-bodied, acidity on the low side, but real depth and expansive fruit on the mid palate and finish, ending with slightly warming alcohol, but is nonetheless delicious. Distinctly textural, with a tiny patina of superfine tannin. A fine, complex, textural, fresh and beguiling wine.
Olivier et Lafond
Full, sweetly fruited, rounded, more concentrated and generous than their standard Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with more length of fruit. Damson, touch of garrigue herbs and sage. Nice sense of purity and freshness. Tannins are soft, malleable, and just ample enough to bring freshness. Convincing.
Olivier et Lafond
A little Cinsault in the blend here too, all destemmed. Gentle, detailed berry fruits. Only medium-bodied, lovely sense of freshness, with a tight tannic frame and good sense of tension. Not terribly concentrated but well-handled for the vintage. Early drinking, with much pleasure. No overt oak - no oak apparent. Alcohol just a little raised, but very drinkable nonetheless.