I have written about the Mont Tauch co-operative in Fitou before. Renowned for their adopting an environmentally friendly, sustainable approach to their winemaking, Mont Tauch recently launched its Les Garrigues Grande Reserve Grenache Noir 2010. I’m told the Les Garrigues is made from 100% Grenache Noir grapes grown on mostly old vines, some over 100 years old.
Les Garrigues is a lovely deep ruby colour in the glass and as you lift it to your nose there are aromas of forest fruits, soft blackberry and a hint of vanilla, it’s very inviting. As you drink it and let it wash around the mouth, the blackberry comes through strongly together with cherry, plum and blackcurrant notes. Les Garrigues is a medium bodied wine with some acidity and big fruit flavours. There are medium tannins to the wine and it has a slight pepperiness in its finish. It’s a wine with good length on the palate and is a delight to drink. The bottle recommends drinking with meat stews, seasonal game or mature aromatic cheeses, we went with the cheese option after our initial tasting and its fruitiness grew whilst being sipped after mouthfuls of the cheese. I’m sure it would equally well support rich meat and game dishes.
Mont Tauch Les Garrigues can be found at selected Sainsbury’s stores. Normally this wine would have an RRP of £8.99 but it’s currently on offer at a special introductory offer of £6.74 until about the 21st of March 2011. I would unhesitatingly recommend you seek this one out; it is, as I said, delightful.
You can find out more about Mont Tauch Wines at www.mont-tauch.com