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558 Sur la Terrasse 2006 VdP Peyriac 4.95
Described by Caroline Panis (wife of Jean, the producer) as a ‘vin de copains’ (wine for casual drinking with chums),
this blend of Syrah, Grenache, Merlot and Carignan is designed to be immediately pleasurable and easy to drink. It is made with strict temperature control to preserve the fresh fruitiness, which is
clear in both the nose and the mouth. But despite its immediacy, the wine has a balanced and elegant presentation. It is best drunk young at 12 – 14C, a little cooler than most
reds. This is a great wine for picnics, mixed salads, tapas and barbecues.
241 Domaine le Bosquet 2005 VdP Cotes de Thongue 5.30
This is a light, fruity, immediately enjoyable blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is ideal drunk by itself or with
lighter-flavoured foods and can be drunk at room temperature or slightly chilled. Cool, it is as refreshing as a rosé. It is elegantly packaged and represents an excellent everyday drinking
wine for all occasions.
110 Terres de St-Segur (Cabrieres) 2003 AOC Coteaux de Languedoc 5.30With a superb ruby colour, there are flavours of red and black fruits with a light
woody background. Macerated long enough to give firm tannins, this round, well balanced and powerfully fruity wine goes particularly well with grilled meat. This is a very successful,
interesting wine at a great price. (Grenache 50%, Syrah 50% Serve at 14-16ºC).
651 Chateau Capendu 2001 AOC Corbieres 5.65A robust and traditional Languedoc blend of 50% Carignan, 30% Syrah and 20% Grenache gives a wine with a deep garnet colour, an intense
nose of black fruits and with spicy, woody flavours. Full bodied and with a long finish, this is an excellent and interesting wine at its price point. Best served between 16-18ºC. Perfect
for drinking now. This is superb value for a real Chateau wine.
602 St Saturnin Vin d'une Nuit 2006 AOC Coteaux de Languedoc 5.95
In the valley of the
Herault river, this wine is a long-established standard. It shares the lightness in tannins of other vins d’une nuit, but has great balance and a clear character. Its vines lie on the
southern slopes of the massif central, facing full South, in well-drained soils at the eastern end of the schistaceous seam that makes St Chinian, Faugeres and Cabrieres so great. St Saturnin is a
small and modest village with no pretensions but an eye for real quality. This is the great all-rounder red in this list and can be commended to deliver every time. I have been drinking it for
more than 25 years and have no plans to stop. (Carignan 20%, Cinsault 20%, Grenache 30%, Syrah 30%, serve at 14-15ºC) Made by Bruno Raymond.
559 Domaine La Galiniere Cabernet Sauvignon 2005/7 VdP de Ctx de Peyriac 6.10
Made by Jean Panis
of Chateau du Donjon. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the area near Carcassonne where the heat and sun of the Mediterranean are moderated by westerly winds from the Atlantic coast. This
wine is traditionally made, with hand sorting, long fermentation and strict temperature control. It has a lovely intense ruby colour with violet tones. This is fine expression of the grape
delivering ripe fruit and pepper aromas and soft but well structured tannins in both the attack and the finish. Great around 15C.
552 Domaine La Galiniere Merlot 2007 VdP de Ctx de Peyriac 6.10
Made by Jean Panis of
Chateau du Donjon. Grown in the valley of Clamoux, where the soils are sandstone alluvial deposits and which are very dry in the summer, this is a superb example of an affordable, excellent
Merlot. It has immediate appeal produced by traditional vinification, long maceration (to transfer all the goodness from the grape skins to the wine) and strict temperature control. This
produces a wine of deep red colour with a powerful nose of red fruits and spicy notes. In the mouth it is medium-bodied with soft tannins, a good structure and persistent finish.
654 Excellence Chateau Capendu 2003 AOC Corbieres 6.50
Didier Ragaru, owner of Chateau
Capendu, continues to innovate and explore new blends and presentations. This wines is a blend of Syrah (only some of which was matured in oak to achieve the desired tannin balance), Grenache and
Carignan (the latter from old vines, at their finest). At 12.5% alcohol it is a little lighter than many Languedoc wines, but despite its elegance, there are still good red-fruit flavours with
tannic structure. It is ideal with grilled food, cheese sauces and red fruit tarts. The wine comes in very smart wooden boxes of six and represents exceptional value, especially as a
gift. Sold in wooden boxes of six only.
550 Chateau du Donjon Grande Tradition 2006 AOC Minervois 6.50
The Grande Tradition is Jean
Panis’ excellent interpretation of the classic traditional red wines of the Minervois. It is a blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Carignan, giving a well structured dry, wine intended to be
drunk with a meal. It will age well for up to 10 years and is best drunk around 18-19C. It has a ruby red colour and a complex aromatic presentation with scents of black fruits and
spices. In the mouth it is powerful but well-balanced with well cloaked tannins, which give the wine its good ageing potential. It is ideal with grilled red meat and with flavourful sauces,
with stronger cheeses and especially with duck and winged game with richer sauces.
220 Domaine St Antonin Les Jardins 2007 from Faugeres 6.80
This pleasant easy-drinking wine
is from one of Faugeres young, vigorous wine-makers who has built a tasteful new domaine South of La Liquiere in first class vine country. Every aspect of his winemaking is to the highest
standards. This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan can be drunk and enjoyed young or left to soften a little more over the next year or two. Les Jardins has red and black fruit scents and
flavours, with a substantial presentation in the mouth and a clean, fruity length. Best around 18C. Made by Frederic Albaret.
902 Les Trois Poules La Coquine 2004/5/7 VdP Cotes des Thongue 6.90
The grapes are hand picked and
then put through a classical carbonic maceration lasting three to four weeks to develop aromas, while preventing oxidation of the fruit qualities. It is a pretty ruby colour with fruity, lively
nose. There are tastes of plums and blackberry jam and a fresh aromatic finish on the palate with hints of pepper. La Coquine is an everyday light fruity wine that easily accompanies grilled
meat, chicken or fish. It can be served slightly chilled for additional freshness. Syrah, Grenache and Merlot. Made by Giles and Ruth de Latude.
231 Mas de Pountil Gourmandise 2002/6 AOC Coteaux de Languedoc 6.90
Characterised by fresh
flavours of red fruits (blackcurrants, cherries) and with a hint of mocha, this low-yield blend (40% Grenache, 40% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault) is made from selected parcels of vines in a
traditional way. Unoaked, it is matured for 18 months before bottling. This is an excellent easy-drinking wine and great value at its price. Made by Angela and Brice Bautou.
652 Mas Meyrac Cuvee No 1 2001 VdP d’Oc 6.90
Only 4000 bottles of this
exceptional wine were produced in 2001 by the excellent Chateau Capendu. Amphora has purchased about half the total production - we think it is extraordinary value. It is a classic example of
traditional wine-making; a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented on the skins for 30 days and then aged in oak barrels for 12 months. With a deep ruby colour with garnet red
highlights, its nose is of fully ripe red fruit with hints of mellow spices and exotic woods. On the palate it is rounded, well structured with balanced tannins. It has a long finish with hints
of black fruits. Perfect for drinking now, between 14-16ºC.
274 Le Carignan de la Bastide aux Oliviers 2006 VdP du Mont Baudille 7.20
Made from the best
old (50-60 years old) Carignan vines, this pure varietal is made from 70% traditional vinification and 30% carbonic maceration. It has a deep cherry colour with flashes of black, a fresh nose with
scents of jammy red and black fruits and in the mouth Tim Atkin MW writes “a rich chocolaty red, with masses of blackberry fruit”. Best in class and Gold medal winner at London
International Wine and Spirits Fair it has also won Gold medals in France. Superb wine at this price. Selected as one of 36 wines to represent France at The Wine Show in October 2007. Made by
Martine and Jean Luc Quinquarlet and their elder son.
557 Chateau du Donjon l’Autre 2006 AOC Cabardes 7.20
By law, AOC Cabardes wines
have to have 40% ‘Atlantic’ varieties and 40% ‘Mediterranean’ varietes, the wine-maker having discretion on the remaining 20%. Here Jean Panis has balanced the plummy fruit
of the Atlantic Merlot (40%) with the structured, aromatic black fruits of the dark, intense Syrah (40%) and the paler, softly-rounded red fruit of the Grenache Noir, the latter two being
‘Mediterranean’ varietes. The result is a delightful wine which goes superbly with the food of the region around Carcassonne and with red meats, game and cheeses of character. This
wine will improve over 5 to 10 years and is best at 16 to 18C.
903 Les Trois Poules Cabernet Franc, 2004 VdP Cotes de Thongue 7.25
This super, prize-winning
wine was awarded the best “Cabernet Franc” Vin de Pays, at the 2005 London International Wine & Spirits Fair. The grapes are hand picked and partly destalked, with a long traditional
maceration and daily “délestages” (a technique in which the juice is pumped from the bottom of the vat back over the grapes to release flavours). It has an intense dark ruby colour, with a
typical Cabernet Franc nose of red pepper. It has a delicious, round, fruity taste of morello cherries, with an astonishing aromatic freshness. Absolutely ready to drink now, it will be
excellent during the next five years. Well suited to red meats and cheese, it should be served at room temperature but can also be slightly chilled (17°C). 100% Cabernet
Franc. Interesting and great value. Made by Giles and Ruth de Latude.
831 Clos des Romains 2003 AOC Cabardes 7.60
This wine comes from Chateau Pennautier,
an extremely impressive property and wine producer to the northwest of the superb fortified city of Carcassonne. Pennautier lies at the eastern end of Languedoc’s westernmost appellation,
Cabardes, which has unique regulatory requirements. The AOC wines from this region must contain at least 40% of both specified ‘Atlantic’ and ‘Mediterranean’ grape
varieties. This sophisticated and powerfully elegant red is a blend of 6 cepages: Cabernet Franc 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Merlot 20%, Grenache 10%, Syrah 30% and Cot (Malbec) 5%. This wine
is an excellent example of the quality and value available from the little-known area of Cabardes.
760 Secret des Capitelles 2004 AOC St Chinian 7.60
This well presented wine from the
excellent appellation of St Chinian is deep ruby in colour has scents of red fruits, laurels and wild herbs. It is a blend of Grenache 66% (these vines are around 35 years old and at their peak) and
Syrah 34%. Perfect for drinking now, the wine will be excellent over the next five years. For the red-wine drinker, the Secret is great on its own but it also makes a great accompaniment for
grills, red meats, game and cheese.
802 Selection Chateau du Vieux Parc 2003 AOC Corbieres 7.95
Made by Louis Panis in a long
established vineyard. His brother, Jean Panis, makes excellent wines in Minervois to the North of Vieux Parc. Louis Panis makes a range of superb wines (including the Tradition white wine which
we stock). The Selection is a clever blend of 40% Carignan (old vines, 60-80 years), 30% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre. It has a dark deep, ruby colour, with complex scents of vanilla
and spices. In the mouth it is rich and elegant with fine soft tannins. Test it against the very strong competition at this price point.
221 Domaine St Antonin Tradition 2007 AOC Faugeres 7.95
This is a complex blend of 30%
Grenache, 25% Carignan, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre 5% Cinsault which delivers the best balance which this superb terroir can offer. Frederic Albaret is a passionate, energetic, new generation
wine-maker in one of the best locations in the excellent appellation of Faugeres. This powerful, full-bodied wine has scents and flavours of red and black fruits – raspberries, cherries,
blackberries and blackcurrants – with hints of the spices from the nearby garrigue (wild scrubland). Despite its power, the wine benefits from the schistaceous soil giving soft, harmonious
tannins and a generous smoothness in the mouth. Great at 16-18C.
753 Domaine les Quatre Pilas Cuvee de la Mouchere 2003 VdP de l’Herault 7.95
Made by M
Joseph and Mme Sylvie Bousquet, who do every stage of the wine production, thereby assuring exactly the superb standards they set. This is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and
Marselan. It is made from over-ripe grapes (ensuring concentrated grape juice and mature phenols) using traditional techniques and is aged for one year in vats before bottling. It is very dark
in colour, reflecting its intensity, it has a complex nose of lychee, peach, blackcurrant and exotic spices. It is full and wonderfully complex in the mouth with a fruity length.
275 L’Ame de Familongue 2005 AOC Coteaux de Languedoc 8.20
This Gold medal-winning
wine is made by Jean Luc and Martine Quinquarlet at their superb vineyard near St André de Sangonis at the foot of the towering Terrasses de Larzac, the southern edge of the Massif Central. This
complex medal-winning blend of 23% Syrah, 23% Carignan, 22% Grenache, 17% Cinsault and 15% Mourvedre is made from vines free from chemical fertilizers and weed-killers. The grapes are hand-harvested
when fully ripe and are then macerated for a long 4-5 weeks. The malo-lactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels, and the wine is matured over the lees in oak. The result is a wine with a
brilliant garnet colour, a nose with scents of red fruits and hints of pepper and cinnamon, and a well balanced, dense and fleshy attack in the mouth, with well clothed tannins and a finish with sweet
hints of liquorice. At 17-18C it is great with red meats and cheeses.
302 Avarus Saint-Chinian 2005 AOC St Chinian 8.20
Made by Thierry Rodriguez. This
Avarus is hand-picked, and produced using traditional techniques. It is macerated for three weeks to allow the full flavours and tannins from the skins to enter the liquid, It is then aged for
four months in vats before being matured for ten months in French oak. It has a superb deep purple colour. The nose is of toast and black fruit jam, while in the mouth it is at first soft and
round, then opens into complex flavours and aromas before finishing surprisingly cleanly with a hint of wood tar. (Syrah 75%, Grenache 25%)
551 Le Merlot du Donjon (Minervois) 2003/5 VdP d’Oc 8.40
This varietal Merlot is
an exercise in intensity but finely presented. Powerful, rich and a gloriously full-blooded, in-your-face Merlot, it seems underpriced for its quality. Donjon is owned by Jean Panis, one of two
wine-making brothers. The other produces nearby, in neighbouring Corbieres, and also makes super wines. The race is on and I guess both will win. Meanwhile, enjoy this block-busting Merlot
at this generous price.
330 Ollier Taillefer Grande Reserve 2006 AOC Faugeres 8.90
This fifth generation family
vineyard lies around Fos, one of Faugere’s leading wine villages. All 26 hectares of the family’s vineyards are officially certified as ‘Terra Vitis’ and rigorous checks are
carried out by an independent organization to confirm the highest standards of land husbandry. The Grande Reserve is a really traditional Faugere wine, made from 35% Syrah, 35% Grenache (old vines),
15% carignan (old vines) and 15% Mourvedre. A traditional hand-made wine, this elegant and well balanced wine has an intense colour, scents of juniper and herbs and is round and soft in the mouth with
hints of spices. 2003 is an excellent vintage which will last up to 8 years.
272 Domaine de Familongue 2003 AOC Coteaux de Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac 8.90
This complex and
fine medal-winning blend of 23% Syrah, 23% Carignan, 22% Grenache, 17% Cinsault and 15% Mourvedre, is made from vines free of chemical fertilizers and weed-killers. The grapes are hand-harvested
when fully ripe and are then macerated for a long 4-5 weeks. The malo-lactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels, and the wine is matured over the lees in oak. The result is a wine with a
brilliant garnet colour, a nose with scents of red fruits and hints of pepper and cinnamon, and a well balanced, dense and fleshy attack in the mouth, with well clothed tannins and a finish with sweet
hints of liquorice. Made by Martine and Jean Luc Quinquarlet.
554 Chateau du Donjon Cuvee Prestige 2006 AOC Minervois 8.90
554a Chateau du Donjon Cuvee Prestige 2006 AOC Minervois MAGNUM 20.00
The Cuvee Prestige is Jean Panis’ finest red. Beautifully presented, this wine is partially matured in
oak barrels and is both powerful (14% alcohol) and intense. Deep, subtle red in colour, it has a nose of vanilla, blackcurrants and cocoa with hints of grilled toast. In the mouth it is full,
with deep tannins and a persistent aftertaste. Now ready to drink, it will age well for several years in the bottle. 60% Syrah (12 months in oak), 40% Grenache (12 months in normal vats).
751 Domaine les Quatre Pilas, 2002 AOC St Georges d’Orques, 8.90
756 Domaine les Quatre Pilas 2003 AOC St Georges d’Orques 8.90
An AOC wine made to the highest standards, which won two stars in the 2004 Guide Hachette. It is a blend of
Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, made in the strictest of traditions with long vat maturation followed by aging for 13 months in oak barrels. It has perfumes of the garrigue (the herbal, spicy
scrub-bush-covered land around the vineyards in the area) and of baking spices culminating in scents of black nougat and fig jam. It is rich in soft tannins and will last well. Made by Joseph
and Sylvie Bousquet.
232 Mas de Pountil 2001/2/4, AOC Terrasses du Larzac 8.90
The flagship wine of Angela
and Brice Bautou, this wine has been acclaimed by the Guide Hachette and other expert wine guides. The 2001 is a blend of 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 40% old Carignan. The 2002 is a blend of
30% Syrah, 30% Grenache 30% old Carignan, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. The wine is hand made in the traditional way, with about 30% of the wine volume maturing in 2nd/3rd use oak barrels. This gives subtle, non-aggressive oak tones to the wine. It has great finesse, with well-balanced tannins and flavours of black and red fruits and nuts. It has great potential for laying down.
832 Pennautier Les Cedres 2003 VdP d’Oc 8.90
Chateau Pennautier has been making
high quality wine for centuries (the Pennautier family funded the Canal du Midi). Because it lies in the Cabardes region, AOC wines have to be made from at least 40% of both specified
‘Atlantic’ and ‘Mediterranean’ grapes. The strict regulations laid out for AOC wines mean that if winemakers want to experiment, they have to do so under different quality
specifications, such as the Vin de Pays (VdP). In many cases the sheer quality of the VdP wines exceed that of a vineyards AOC offerings, and this is reflected in the prices. This charming
blend of Malbec (known in France as Cot) and Syrah gives a dark ruby, complex and powerful wine with scents of peonies, black fruits, truffles and coriander with a slightly peppery character.
106 Chateau Cabrieres 2001, AOC Coteaux de Languedoc 9.60
Produced from only the best
parcels of land growing Syrah in Cabrieres and matured for twelve months in new oak barrels, this wine has an intense, deep colour and a nose which combines scents of woods, of vanilla, of pine and of
liquorice. The intense and well balanced tannins mean that it will lay down well and will improve with age. For those who like the power and spice of Syrah, the Chateau Cabrieres will hold its
own in its class with wines from anywhere in the world. (100% Syrah, selected from the best sections of the Pitrous vineyard)
202 Chateau de la Liquiere Vieilles Vignes 2001 AOC Faugeres (limited stock) 10.60
Faugeres has long
been recognised as an area of dramatic and sustained improvement in the Languedoc Roussillon. La Liquiere is one of the top Faugeres domaines and has been innovating and improving for many
years. This wine is made from some of the oldest vines in the area, typically 60-80 years old, when they are at the peak of their character. Meticulously produced using the highest standards
and traditional techniques, the Vielles Vignes is a fine wine to rival those on the international scene.
303 Mas Gabinele 2004/5 AOC Faugeres 12.30
Mas Gabinele has only 10Ha of vines, so its
production is small – but precious. Expert wine-maker Thierry Rodriguez owns Mas Gabinele and it is his personal standard of excellence. Despite his busy schedule making many other
excellent wines around the Region, he works his own vines superbly to deliver top class vintages year after year. This 2005 Mas Gabinele, is a blend of Syrah 30%, Grenache 30%, Mourvedre 10% and old vine
Carignan 30%. The grapes are hand harvested with selection of only the ripest fruit. There is a long maceration of 20 to 30 days, followed by 12 to 16 months maturation in French oak. It
has a deep red colour with flashes of violet. Smooth and powerful on the nose, there are scents of forest fruit jam, coffee, cocoa, pepper and vanilla. These echo in the mouth with a fleshy,
sensual presentation and a long finish with a hint of eucalyptus. This wine can be laid down for years and is best drunk around 18C.
703 Mas Gabinele Rarissime 2003 AOC Faugeres 19.60
Made by Thierry Rodriguez. Called
‘the rarest’ this is a wine of astounding quality from Faugeres. The best vines are selected and then each is maintained by hand throughout the year. Only the finest bunches of
grapes are taken from the selected vines and the vinification methods are of the highest quality. The wine has exceptional intensity of colour, nose and flavour supported by a robust 15% of
alcohol. The proprietor, Thierry Rodriguez, only produces Rarissime in years when the vintage has sufficient quality, so we offered a 2001 (now sold out and no 2002) and are now offering a
2003. Free wooden 6-bottle case with each six bottles. So far, this is the most sophisticated Languedoc wine I have found.
161 Chateau Sulauze Prestige 2006 AOC Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence (MAGNUM limited stock) 30.00
Such a fine, gold medal-winning wine, all the standard bottles are sold out and only magnums remain – but usually magnums age even better. This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot
has a deep purple colour with hints of crimson. It has aromas of flowers, pepper and coffee. In the mouth it is dry with structured tannins and with flavours of both black and red
fruits. Fine, balanced and elegant it is a great accompaniment to red meats with sauces, spicy dishes, truffles and stronger cheeses. Guillaume Lefevre is a young and dynamic winemaker whose
35Ha of vines are located in a wonderful area, close to Aix en Provence, Arles, Les Baux and the Camargue. The name Sulauze is said to come from "Lauze", the flat stones used by local
shepherds to build the small walls called "Bancaou". The vineyards are surrounded by garrigue (wild scrubland) where bulls are raised.
371a Mas Daumas Gassac 2004 VdP de l’Herault (limited stock) 25.00
371 Mas Daumas Gassac 2005 VdP de l’Herault 22.00
373 Mas Daumas Gassac 2005 VdP de l’Herault (MAGNUM limited stock) 55.00
371b Mas Daumas Gassac 2006 VdP de l’Herault (limited stock) 22.00
“The only Grand Cru of the Midi” – Hugh Johnson, “Exceptional” – Robert
Parker, “A Lafite in Languedoc” – Gault & Millau. Mas Daumas Gassac was an early leader in the quality revolution in Languedoc and is now world-renowned for its wines of
stunning quality. The vineyards include the ‘magic valley’, which has a uniquely favourable microclimate in an area (near Aniane, on the East bank of the River Herault) which makes some of
the finest wine in the world. The Mas Daumas Gassac wines are made to the very highest standards and are crafted to deliver reliable excellence. The wines are in great demand around the world
and are strictly allocated to selected vintners. Amphora is lucky to have been given a small allocation of bottles, which we are offering at a very competitive price. This red is predominantly
Cabernet Sauvignon, but up to 15 other varieties are blended to deliver its unique quality. “…the ripeness and softness of an Australian cabernet, yet the structure and balance of a fine
Bordeaux…” – Clive Platman. Magnums have a rarity value, not only because fewer are made but also since many believe the wine ages and tastes better in bigger bottles.
6015 St Saturnin Bag in Box 5L NV AOC Coteaux de Languedoc (NB 5 litres) 30.00
In the valley of the Herault river, this wine is a standard. It shares the low tannins of the vin d’une nuit and is a lighter wine overall. Its vines lie on the southern slopes of
the massif central, facing full South, in well-drained soils at the eastern end of the schistaceous seam that makes the area’s wines so great. This is a good, pleasant AOC wine for everyday
drinking. (Carignan 20%, Cinsault 20%, Grenache 30%, Syrah 30%, serve at 15-16ºC) Made by Bruno Raymond.
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