SAQ Terrasses du Larzac ‘Nuit Grave’ 2021, Mas des Chimères
The Call of the Larzac
The end of the 20th century in Languedoc marked the advent of two major trends that would shake the pillars of the wine establishment.
First, the rise of inexpensive wines that flooded the local and European markets, making the region the country’s largest wine producer by volume.
Second, the rise in quality of the forgotten terroirs of the Languedoc hillsides.
The municipalities of the Terrasses du Larzac are arguably the ones that best symbolize this qualitative revolution in the 1990s, with the founding of several estates that are legendary today.
Vines have been present in the Languedoc region since Roman times. In the terraces, during the 8th century, the Romans gave way to Benedictine monks, who navigated the Middle Ages better than the Empire did.
The diversity of the soils, the distance from the sea, and the altitude make the region ideal for producing great wines with diverse flavor profiles, yet always characterized by finesse and elegance.
Guillhem Dardé has been working in the wine industry since 1974 and founded his estate in 1993.
The ‘Nuit Grave’ cuvée is made with equal parts Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache, sourced from a basaltic (lava) terroir. The wine is aged for 18 months in neutral oak barrels before bottling. In your glass, you will find a wine with more pronounced freshness and finesse than is typical for this type of blend. This character is imparted by the altitude and the basaltic soils. The tannins are present but velvety. Superb value for the region.
- To pair it with: rosemary lamb chops, on the BBQ or otherwise...
- For a fun fact: we really like the appellation’s motto, which reflects their wines perfectly: The generosity of Languedoc, the freshness of Larzac!
- To better understand Languedoc: we are preparing a workshop on the subject for the 24/25 season.
- And from the same producer, you won’t want to miss their 100% Cinsault Oeillade 2022 cuvée, also arriving this week for $26 at the SAQ (15304470)
OTHER HORIZONS...
