2012 Vignobles Lorgeril, Château de Pennautier Rouge, Cabardès

In 1620 Bernard de Pennautier had the good sense to employ one of the chief architects of the palace of Versailles, Le Vau, to extend his already rather impressive familial home, located on the outskirts of Carcassonne. Nicolas and Miren de L’Orgeril are his tenth generation descendants, all ten of whom have made wine, celebrating this unique environment. The Appellation Contrôlée of Cabardès is located at an altitude of 700-1000 metres in the southern foothills of the Montagne Noire, itself a geological and climatic cross-roads displaying both Atlantic Mediterranean influence.

This marriage of great natural convenience is reflected by the grape varieties blended in this wine; Cabernet Franc 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Merlot 20%, Cot 10%, Grenache 20% and Syrah 20%. The 2012 sees a little more Syrah and a little less Cabernet Franc than usual, and this is maybe reflected in its adamantine purity of texture, with ripe red and black fruits (cherry, blackberry and mulberry amongst others) to the fore, but impressive Cabernet grip and Atlantic discipline to temper the by-no-means absent Mediterranean exuberance.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer