2017 Coteaux du Languedoc Tete de Belier
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Tasting notes
Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier on clay-limestone soils and galets roulés with yields of 35 hl/ha. Low-temperature fermentation in new and one-year-old barrels. Six to eight months in barrel on fine lees with regular bâtonnage for the first few months. Horribly, massively heavy bottle. Please think of the planet, Ch Puech-Haut! Deep gold. Serious struck-match smokiness. Rich, lavishly creamy panna cotta vanilla. It fills the mouth slowly and sensuously, every corner thrumming with a fine undercurrent of electricity – acidity you can barely notice because of the weight of the creaminess. Papaya, baked banana, cardamom, saffron, cashew nuts. But there is also a subtle, bitter, white-blossom bite that pulls it back by a finger’s breadth from too fat. This has years ahead of it, and will get more honeyed with time. Powerful. Formidable length. This would hold its own with fine Rhône whites. (TC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Languedoc Saint Drezery Tête de Bélier is a sexy blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 5% each Carignan and Mourvèdre. Smoke, garrigue and black-cherry scents all combine on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is spicy, rich and concentrated, offering plenty of substance to chew on and adding hints of licorice on the long finish.
The 2017 Tête De Belier shows the changing style at this estate and offers a more Northern Rhône vibe in its green olive, bacon fat, smoked herbs, and meaty black fruits. Based on 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and the rest Mourvèdre and Carignan, aged in barrel, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a concentrated yet focused texture, and a great finish. It’s going to benefit from a year or two of bottle age.
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Product details
Syrah / Shiraz, Grenache/ Garnacha , Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro
Red
Dry