by Tim York » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:50 am
Bob,
The basic Pennautier Cabardès is a nice frank and vigorous wine and good QPR over here at a cost of about 6 EUR. Cabardès is at the watershed between the Atlantic and Med and this is reflected in the mixture of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon together with other Bordeaux and Languedoc varietiesand in the taste of the wine, which usually (but 2003??) has a brightness little found in Languedoc proper.
There are other Cabardès cuvées called L'Esprit de Pennautier, costing about 20 EUR and Collection Privée. I have tasted the former and found it more complex and concentrated than the basic but quite marked by an oak patina which may integrate better with some age; I did not buy any.
For information, Les Meilleurs Vins du France say that estate has 200 hectares planted in Syrah 25%, Cabernet 20%, Merlot 20%, Grenache 15%, Cinsault 10%, Cot 10% and 23 hectares planted in Chardonnay 90% and Sauvignon 10%.
Tim York
