Jeroen Koenen

9.5

This ancient vineyard (planted from 1888 - 1895) carries roughly 26-29 varieties (who knows…?). The wine usually comprises about 50% of Zinfandel, also quite some Carignan, Mataro, Syrah and Petite Sirah. Furthermore, there are dollops of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Bouschet, Peloursin, Trousseau, Calmette… Just to name a few. The label proudly proclaims that this particular vintage was the 127th (!) year of existence of these vines and 19 different variaties were included in the blend.
When poured in a glass I notice a bright ruby semi-translucent colour with no signs of aging. A beautiful nose of dark fruit (cassis and plum), peppery oriental spice, vanilla, cigar, cedar, toasty oak and a hint of orangepeel.
The palate has sufficient acidity, medium-plus tannines and a long and distinguished finish.
A great wine, drinking at its peak.
@ 40€/btl, it has a fantastic QPR as well. — 5 days ago

Hayley Cronin

9.0

Despite the somewhat baby poopy aroma, you’ll want to gobble this wine down as if it were a bowl of freshly picked raspberries. — 7 years ago

Andre Hermans

9.3

Assez léger, belle acidité, fruit rouge cerises — 7 months ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.4

Two years in oak, rich but very rounded and smooth — 4 years ago

John R. Jacob

9.4

This is not the Carignan blend, but I can’t seem to edit the descriptor. This is the 2012 La Joupatiere and it is one of the most unique and interesting wines. Thank you Colline de l’hirondelle. As their website explains, “The oldest vineyard in the village! Planted at the end of the 19th century, it miraculously escaped phylloxera and the uprooting of old vines that has plagued the Languedoc; this tiny one-acre plot is a conservatory of rare and disappearing varieties. A local vine scientist has identified the following 13 varieties: Carignan noir, Grenache noir, Cinsault noir, Mourrastel Boucher noir, Rivairenc noir, Grand Noir de la Calmette, Mourvèdre noir, Terret noir, Terret gris, Terret blanc, Olivette blanche, Chasselas doré, Valencin rose and two mysterious varieties are still unidentified.” What a blend. — 7 years ago

with Gary

Brendan Baker

9.1

Wild blackberry, bramble, somewhat plush on the palate, nice acidity, silky tannin 👌 — 3 years ago

Jon Ebsworth

9.4

Such depth of fruit to this. Inky joyous Malbec. Star of the show at Manteca. — 5 years ago