Terres Falmet Cinsault 2009

Terres Falmet Cinsault 2009 is is a wine that falls under the new designation of Vin de France ( Vin de Table with no Geographic Indication!). It is a new category which has to be made in France ( anywhere and may have mixed grapes from different regions) and can have the variety on the label. It is a way that France sees that it can compete on the wider stage of the New World competative market. This wine actually comes from the Languedoc - but do the grapes?
The wine maker Yves Falmet and is a first generation vigneron. He has created his own wine estate the hard way: having studied bio-chemistry, he has worked in wineries all over the world, starting in Champagne and moving to Germany, New Zealand and onwards. In 1996 he bought 20 hectares of north-facing vineyards in the Languedoc he saw the potential of site and the old vines , some of which had been abandoned by the previous owner, he added a tiny cellar in nearby Creissan in 2001.
The wine is a deep colour as expected from the Languedoc, it has black and red fruit aromas with a sprinkle of leather and spice. On the palate the wine is fresh, fruity and the tannins stalky but fine grained and soft, the alcohol offers good structural support along with the tannins. Great flavour intensity, again with black and red fruits, spice and supple leather and earthiness. The length is good if a little flat and the tannins are present to the end.
This wine is available from Stone, Vine and Sun at a price of £7.75.
Score : 85

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Domaine la Suffrène Bandol Rouge 2008 Provence, France

Domaine la Suffrène Bandol Rouge 2008 is a blend of Mouvedre, Cinsault and Carignan made by Cedric Gravier on the 45 hectares in Bandol ( across the communes of La Cadière d'Azur and Castellet) which is in the south of Provence. The vines are trained traditionally Gobolet style, green harvesting is used to limit the yield and ensure high quality grapes. The deep, deep ruby core and narrow purple rim,  smack of a quality wine which has been carefully made, abundant concentrated aromas of black juicy fruits including Black Cherries and a smattering of sweet spice with maybe a hint of Provencal Herbs ( or is this just my romantic imagination) tempt you in, and once tasted all that it promised comes true. It is dry and savoury but has a well structured array of fruits and tannins to support them and acidity to keep this well balanced palate fresh and alive. The dark fruits have spice intermingled with them, as well as leather and a savoury edge, the tannins grippy and tasty lead you to a long finish of dark fruits, leather and spice, alot to do with the prescence of Mourvedre!
The vineyards in the Bandol region are steep and hot - allowing the Mourvedre to ripen producing deep complex wines.
Supplied by Slurp at a cost of £16.55.
Score : 94

La Ramade Rosé 2010 Côtes de Provence France

La Ramade Rosé 2010 Côtes de Provence France is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah grown traditionally on Bush vines with some trellising and there is minimium intervention of the growing system ( soil, chemicals etc), and made by Laurent Bunan. Pale salmon core welcomes you into this wine and creamy floral aromas and cooked nectarine with a touch of tangerine, all this is echoed on the palate with a hint of saltiness, carried through to the finish which is primarily tangerine and rose.
A lovely wine supplied by M&S at a price of £9.99 a bottle.
Score : 87

Clos Sainte-Magdeleine Rosé 2011 Provence France

Clos Sainte-Magdeleine Rosé 2011 Cassis ( normally famous for its whites) in Provence France by Yapp Brothers at £14.25, it is from  François Sack’s estate using the Provence grapes Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. It has an enticing salmon pink colour and aromas of tinned strawberries, nectarine, tangerine and honeysuckle flowers, these are softly echoed on the palate which is dry and has a medium length and a slightly salty finish. The alcohol (12.5%) is well integrated and the texture feels in the right place.

Score : 87