Tasting Notes
The story
Some of the best wines in the Languedoc region are IGP wines (previously "Vins de Pays"); this one cannot be one of the Languedoc AOCs as Cabernet Franc is not a permitted variety and yet suits the sandstone terroir. Winemaker, Vincent Chansault, planted Cabernet Franc (from his home region, the Loire Valley) for that reason and he manages to combine the subtleness of Loire red wines with the boldness of many Languedoc red wines.
This organic red wine is of amazing quality, quite elegant and yet bursting with intense aromas and complex flavours. It is rather unique in style and definitely worth a try.
The wine
This wine, like previous vintages, is beautifully fragrant with concentrated, ripe fruit aromas of cassis, black cherries, raspberries and some floral notes such as lilac. This fruity character extends to the palate and addded to the intense black fruits and raspberry are hints of caramel, graphite and liquorice developed from the oak ageing.
Despite the intensity and complexity of the aromas and flavours, the wine remains rather refined and certainly more than you might expect for an IGP. Domaine Gayda uses only 20% new oak in this wine so the effects are quite subtle. It is medium-bodied and retains the great balance of fruit, very fine tannins and refreshing acidity. It's not surprising that it is a customer favourite.
Food Pairing
Cabernet Franc's acidity and body make it a good match for a number of different foods. Its herbaceous characteristics make it a particularly good match for game, lamb, duck and for herby and olive- and tomato-based dishes. It will go well with most red meats, with mushrooms, peppers and with many cheeses including brie, camembert, smoked cheeses and even goats cheese.
Producer's Notes
"Opaque, perfumed with fragrant black cherry, cassis and spice. Full bodied, intense with countless layers of flavour including blackcurrant, cedar and graphite. Dense fruit on the palate is bound by a structure of fine grained tannins and a lively acidity. This wine shows great depth and character and yet is refined with a long, elegant finish."
