So lets talk Gaillac...well, the reds anyway!

Guess I could have opened my 2012 Gaillac Rouge from Ch. Lecusse last month when we had SW France featured on this forum. Can any forumites mention any estate they would consider of good quality? I have just opened the Cuvee Speciale from Lecusse, which hardly gets a mention in Paul Strangs book on SW France.

http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-gaillac

http://www.winesofsouthwestfrance.com/p ... &a=53&p=19

As I said in a previous post here, I think, I can recommend Causses Marines from personal experience and Plageoles from reputation. I think you may find some useful experience on the UK board.

Yes, Causse Marines make a very nice Gaillac, with which I now have to content myself since they've stopped making their heart-stoppingly good Marcillac a few vintages ago.

Mark Lipton

WTN: 2012 Gaillac Cuvee Speciale Chateau Lecusse.

12.5% alc, good natural cork, purchased this month, $22 Cdn.
82% Fer Servadou, some Duras too plus CS/Merlot. Decanted but not really required I think. Not a big name in the Gaillac region it would appear (Paul Strang book).

Berry aromas on the nose, earthy, some plum, hint of pepper. Initial entry is supple, soft tannins, earthy, berry fruits not too ripe day1. Very good acidity here, medium bodied, not a big dense wine like Cahors or Madiran. In fact "Bordeaux-ish" from across the table.
Left some overnight as usual, big transformation with much riper fruit on the finish. This went well with flat iron steak with an onion relish and bok choy. Pleasant surprise , just wish there were some of the big names in my area.

WTN: 2012 Gaillac Cuvee Speciale Chateau Lecusse.

12.5% alc, good natural cork, purchased this month, $22 Cdn.
82% Fer Servadou, some Duras too plus CS/Merlot. Decanted but not really required I think. Not a big name in the Gaillac region it would appear (Paul Strang book).

Berry aromas on the nose, earthy, some plum, hint of pepper. Initial entry is supple, soft tannins, earthy, berry fruits not too ripe day1. Very good acidity here, medium bodied, not a big dense wine like Cahors or Madiran. In fact "Bordeaux-ish" from across the table.
Left some overnight as usual, big transformation with much riper fruit on the finish. This went well with flat iron steak with an onion relish and bok choy. Pleasant surprise , just wish there were some of the big names in my area.

Sounds a good one, Bob. Even round here, I haven't seen Plageoles or Causses Marines on the shelves. I bought a quite nice Gaillac with, I suspect, quite a lot of international varieties in it from a grocer in nearby Livarot and another from a caviste with more local varieties which I didn't particularly like. Here is a TN _

2012 Château Clément Termes Gaillac - France, Southwest France, Gaillac (9/5/2014)
Made from local grape varieties, Baucal and Duras, this bottle did not intrigue me in the way that the best from other SW regions such as Marcillac, Fronton and Irouléguy do, but it was robust and enjoyable in a rather rough and rustic manner without any artifice. Maybe a little age would round out some of the angles.
Posted from CellarTracker

A somewhat different TN there Tim. Even in your area, not much of a choice eh.