Château des Tourettes Tinus Pure Nature 2020

Its intense gold colour with orange highlights notwithstanding, this Tinus from the vintage “Pure Nature” is not – after checking many times – an orange wine.

The two grapes Marsanne/Rousanne – the major part of the mix – are responsible for the visual intensity. Same thing for the scent: the intensity continues on notes of white peach, apricot, beeswax, and hazelnut reminiscent of sweet Pedro Ximenes (sherry).

Add to this aromatic marriage a subtle salinity and mini tannins. This marvel is created by the adventuresome pair Guffens-Heynens, wine makers known around the planet.

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Canet Valette Saint-Chinian Antonyme 2020

“What’s the use of the terroir if you have not felt its rhythm, and if you don’t create one body with it, and you have not loved it and suffered with it,” says Marc Valette.

Owner of Canet Valette, precursor of organic culture in its bailiwick of Saint-Chinian, thumbing his nose at industry trends, Marc Valette respectfully styles this Languedoc terroir.

Pleasure and spontaneity are the words that best describe the Antonyme. It’s the product of an assemblage of grenache, syrah, carignan, mourvèdre and cinsault and has a rich mouth, crackling with freshness and surprisingly digestible. The fruit and nothing but the fruit.

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JK Elpenor Reserva Tinto Dâo 2014

In general, Julia Kemper’s wines spend some time in barrels made of French oak. It’s a costly process which is not always applicable because it can alter the wine, giving it a dominant woodiness.

Because of this, Elpenor Réserva is only aged in stainless steel, finishing its maturing in bottles. The goal is not to make the touriga nacional grape stand out.

It is fascinating to find as much freshness and smoothness in as deeply ruby a red wine as this one. The mouth is charming with hints of cherry and fresh plums supported by flavours of wild berries.

Naturally crisp and pairs warmly with fall rabbit.

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