2006 Domaine de la Grange des Pères Vin de Pays de la l'Herault
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Tasting notes
Certainly more complex than the ’07 at this point, the 2006 Domaine de la Grange des Pères Vin de Pays de l'Hérault, 40% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, and 20% Cabernet, displays similar assorted dark fruits and spice aromatics, but shows much more earth, garrigue, and wild herb nuances that are only hinted at in the ’07. On the palate, the wine is dense and concentrated, possessing substantial underlying structure that is buffered by loads of concentrated fruit and a powerful, seamless texture. This firms up beautifully on the finish, leading me to believe this has a long life ahead of it. While not showing quite the purity or exuberance of the ’07, this might actually age better. Time will tell, and readers can’t go wrong with either of these beauties!
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Mid to dark crimson. Very warm ripe start on the nose – no heaviness. Some minerality. Still slightly dry tannins and a bit of acidity on the finish. Pretty youthful but much more sophisticated than most Languedoc reds. A bit harsh and slightly rustic at the moment. Perhaps it will soften? (JR)
The white 2006 Grange des Peres – a blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, and Chardonnay – is alluringly scented with lily and honey, leading to an almost sweet palate impression on account of sheer ripeness and glycerin. With effusive inner-mouth floral notes; hints of white pepper and orange zest; and an uncanny combination of textural creaminess with lift and vivacity, it finishes with sweetly soothing length and illusive complexity, promising several years of intriguing bottle evolution. Laurent Vaille’s 2007 components had not yet been blended when I visited him in December. The Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mourvedre each were sensationally concentrated and highly expressive, promising one of the finest Grange des Peres red bottlings ever. All of these grapes were enormously ripe in flavor already by mid September, and while that entailed alcohol levels of 15-16%, the young component wines evinced no heat or harshness. Another reason to queue early for the 2007 is that quantities in 2006 are minuscule. In fact, marauding wild boar so devastated his crop of white, that when I visited, Vaille was wrestling with the issue of how or even whether to market it. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524; also a Daniel Johnnes Selection, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300