As part of Languedoc-Roussillon, Corbieres is one of the top producing regions. As mentioned when we previously looked at Domaine De Fontsainte, it comes from one of the top wine merchants, Kermit Lynch. This has special precedence in Corbieres where the terrian is incredibly variable, leading to mountains, valleys, and other geographical features that lead to random quality. Combine this with the groups who govern the wine being somewhat unstable themselves (there are 11 different regions in Corbieres), the province of the wine is very important. With that in mind, how does Domaine De Fontsainte 2013 fare?
Sight: A moderate red with a rather pinkish hue toward the end. There is a transparency to the body.
Smell: Currants, spice, and raspberry come to the front, while vanilla lurks in the background. Subtle herbal notes, like sage, and touches of black plums add some back up to the brightness of the red fruit.
Sip: The start is bright, and plenty of the those currant notes come out immediately. The body is moderate and fleshy, wrapping around the mid palate with a solid weight. A slightly stemmy nature is present, giving it hints of herbs more than an underripe character. The fruit character of the wine leans into currants, red plums, and spicy raspberries. Flavors are subtle, and bitterness is present.
Savor: Touches of tannins flirt around the edges, and a distinctly concentrated amount of under ripened raspberries drives a long finish. An earthy element is present as well, giving an almost cocoa powder like chocolatey note.
Domaine De Fontsainte is a subtle trip of red fruit and herbal notes. Style wise, you get a distinct sense of place coming from the herbal and soil elements in play. The texture is deep, but the ending leaves some of the fruit behind, forgetting it’s berry character for the earthiness. Domaine De Fontsainte is a delightful trip to Corbieres in a bottle, that will remind you that food and wine go together, and can add a sense of place when paired.
Verdict: Currants, Herbs, Raspberry, Earthy
Rating: 76
Price: $10
Corbieres, France
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