Vintus

Les Coteaux, Languedoc

Les Coteaux is a 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre blend, from vines that average 20 years of age.  The fruit comes from selected plots about halfway up the hillsides of the estate.  The heat stored during the day on these gravely hillsides is released when evening comes, enabling an optimal maturity for the grapes.  Vines in this well drained soil send roots deep in the earth to seek the nutrients they need, giving a rich and complex structure to the wine. Fermentation is in concrete vats and stainless steel, and a long maceration enables a harmonious tannic structure.  Aging is for around 15 months in 1, 2, and 3 year old French Oak barrels.

• 2008 Vintage

  • "Peat, blond tobacco, rosemary, kirsch, plum paste and black raspberry preserves on the nose of Mas Belles Eaux's 2008 Languedoc Les Coteaux presage a comparable complexity on a firm but juicy palate suffused with a mixture of salt, iodine, crushed stone, cherry pit, rosemary oil, and smoky black tea, all reflecting the sort of diversity and pronounced mineral nature of flavors from Caux soils. The resinous aspect of the finish here doesn't obscure the purity of berry fruit or keep the wine from delivering energy and genuine refreshment - on the contrary, it's part of the invigoration. I suspect that this outstanding value will continue to reward attention for at least 3-4 more years." 91 Points Wine Advocate

• 2007 Vintage

  "While due to press of time I had to rely on samples of recent Mas Belles Eaux releases, I did make use of a half hour noon break in my travel schedule one day to walk their vineyards on the edge of Caux, which are as impeccably cared-for as I expected, knowing that this now nearly decade-old domaine was created by the A.X.A. insurance group (owners of Chateau Pichon Baron, etc.) now directed by Christian Seely. The estate is one of the few to have adopted the ultra-umbrella appellation "Languedoc" almost from its inception four years ago. Les Coteaux, the estate's principle wine, is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre reflecting diverse variations on chalk-clay and cobbled Villafranchian soils, and matured for 15 months in barriques of 1-3 years age. Sweeter and more single-mindedly scented with ripe cherry than its 2008 counterpart - though with hints of black tea, smoked meat and game - the Belles Eaux 2007 Languedoc Les Coteaux is satisfyingly plush in feel and saturates the palate with brown-spiced pit- and salt-laced cherry." 89 Points Wine Advocate

  • "Bright and juicy, with well-defined red berry, plum and dried cherry flavors that are joined by mineral and spice. The firm finish offers brick and mocha notes." 89 Points Wine Spectator

• 2006 Vintage

  • "This elegant, refined red from the south of France is filled with vibrant flavors of red berry, plum, sweet cherry and spice. Well-structured, with lots of bright raspberry and light cream notes on the finish. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre." 91 Points Wine Spectator

  • “Vibrant and juicy with red cherry and blueberry playing well alongside notes of thyme and soft pepper spice. Medium weight in the mouth with soft grain tannins, solid acidity, and a finish that leaves a delicious raspberry syrup flavor lingering until the next sip.” 90 Points Wine Enthusiast

  • "This blend of 70 percent syrah with grenache and mourvèdre is chewy with savory fruit, laden with rocky minerality, almost steak-like in its meaty flavor. Give it some air to bring up the pretty red raspberry center, and serve it with lamb chops." 90 Points Wine & Spirits Magazine

  • "Utilizing the new "Languedoc" appellation, Mas Belles Eaux’s 2006 Languedoc mingles Syrah with 20% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre, aged in various ages of barrique. This offers a lovely though restrained nose of sandalwood, cassis, black raspberry, smoked meats, and herbal scrub. In the mouth, the black fruits offer a deep but not at all superficially sweet richness, with palate-staining resinous herbal, subtly bitter fruit skin, saline, and positively stony notes that carry into a long finish. This is a serious – some might even say "somber" – wine, and I expect it will perform well and evolve interestingly over at least the next 3-4 years. It will be exciting to taste what Belles Eaux (which I have yet to visit) renders in the potentially outstanding 2007 vintage." 90 Points Wine Advocate

• 2005 Vintage

  A dark, intense color, this wine on the palate is round, supple, and full-bodied. The aromas and flavors of black fruit and spices are a delight now, and the structure promises years of pleasure.

  • “This refined, elegant red from the south of France has an enticing aroma of pepper and sage, with flavors of raspberry, kirsch, red cherry and hints of garrigue. The pure, minerally finish ends on a meaty note.” 91 Points Wine Spectator, Smart Buy

  • "This is very typical and outstanding in quality with lots of character. Dense and powerful with loads of blackberry and plum character on the nose and palate. Full and velvety. Lots of fruit and character." 91 Points James Suckling