Languedoc report 2023: Latest releases tasted
In Decanter's most comprehensive report on the Languedoc – and its key appellations – to date, Natalie Earl tasted more than 900 latest releases, mostly from 2022, 2021 and 2020 and gives her verdict on the vintages, the top-scoring wines plus the producers to look out for.
Languedoc 2022 vintage rating: 4.5 / 5
Languedoc 2021 vintage rating: 3.5 / 5
Even after tasting over 900 wines and spending many hours visiting the region, it is still somewhat difficult to draw solid conclusions about the latest vintages in Languedoc. This is due to a number of reasons.
Firstly, depending on each appellation’s regulations and the length of ageing a producer decides on, there’s no single vintage to assess without excluding a good chunk of wines. This, coupled with the fact that I wanted to showcase wines that were already bottled and available right now, means that the wines recommended range across a number of vintages, but are for the most part from 2022, 2021 and some from 2020.
Secondly, despite speaking directly to producers, visiting vineyards, and tasting the wines, it’s difficult to know exactly how a vintage played out unless you were on the ground during the growing season and saw the health and quality of the fruit as it was harvested. While press releases often paint a shiny picture, and producers often fall on the ‘despite the challenges the fruit quality is excellent’ line, the reality isn’t always so rosy.
Thirdly, recent vintages in Languedoc have seen incredibly varied weather conditions, not only from appellation to appellation, but as granular as village to village.
See the Languedoc report 2023 homepage
Individual appellation analysis:
Limoux | Corbières & Minervois | La Clape | St-Chinian | Faugères | Picpoul de Pinet | Terrasses du Larzac | Pic St Loup
Vintages currently on the market by appellation:
Limoux: 2022 & 2021
Corbières: 2022 & 2021
Minervois: 2021 & 2020
La Clape: 2022 & 2021
St Chinian: 2021 & 2020
Faugères: 2021 & 2020
Picpoul de Pinet: 2022 & 2021
Terrasses du Larzac: 2021 & 2020
Pic St Loup: 2021 & 2020
See the Languedoc latest releases score tables:
This report covers a selection of key Languedoc appellations, and where relevant IGP and Vin de France wines have been included, but not tasted as widely.
Vintage conditions
If forced to generalise, 2022 was a hot, dry vintage in Languedoc, while 2021 was marked by ferocious April frosts and a cooler season, and yields were very small across most of the region.
The reality is more complex – Limoux, for example, escaped much of the 2021 frost damage, although still experienced an overall cooler vintage.
For those that still have it on the market, 2020 was another hot and dry year, and is widely regarded as one of the best in recent times across many appellations.
Top-scoring wines by appellation:
Limoux:
Sparkling
Antech, Cuvée Eugenie Brut, Crémant de Limoux 2020 – 92 points
Domaine de Mousacaillo, Brut Nature, Crémant de Limoux 2020 – 92 points
White
Les Hautes Terres, Louis, Limoux 2022 – 93 points
Château de Gaure, Limoux 2021 – 93 points
Red
Domaine de Baronarques, Grand Vin Rouge, Limoux 2021 – 90 points
Corbières & Minervois:
White
Maxime Magnon, La Bégou, Corbières 2022 – 95 points
Domaine Pierre Bories, Le Blanc, Corbières 2021 – 93 points
Château La Baronne, Les Chemins, Corbières 2022 – 93 points
Château Ollieux Romanis, Prestige Blanc, Corbières 2021 – 93 points
Red
Château Ollieux Romanis, Atal Sia, Corbières Boutenac 2021 – 94 points
Domaine la Bouysse, Terrassaé, Corbières 2022 – 93 points
Château Sainte-Eulalie, Bellezour Anima Minervois, La Livinière 2021 – 93 points
Domaine Combe Blanche, La Chandelière, Minervois La Livinière 2020 – 93 points
La Clape
White
Château Pech Redon, Epervier Blanc, La Clape 2022 – 93 points
Château Rouquette sur Mer, Cuvée Arpege, La Clape 2022 – 92 points
Red
Sarrat de Goundy, La Combe aux Louves, La Clape 2021 – 92 points
Château L’Hospitalet, Grand Vin, La Clape 2021 – 91 points
Château Pech Redon, Epervier, La Clape 2020 – 91 points
Sarrat de Goundy, La Planteur, La Clape 2021 – 91 points
St Chinian
White
Domaine des Pradels-Quartironi, Le Moineau des Glycines, St-Chinian 2020 – 94 points
Red
Thierry Navarre, Ribeyrenc, St-Chinian 2021 – 94 points
Thierry Navarre, Le Laouzil, St-Chinian 2021 – 94 points
Terres Falmet, L’Ivresse des Cimes, St-Chinian 2021 – 94 points
Faugères
White
Domaine Ollier-Taillefer, Allegro, Faugères 2022 – 93 points
Red
Domaine de Cébène, Belle Lurette, Faugères 2021 – 95 points
Domaine Binet-Jacquet, Réserve, Faugères 2020 – 95 points
Picpoul de Pinet
White
Château Petit Roubié, L’O Sur Lie Patience, Picpoul de Pinet 2022 – 94 points
Les Vignerons de Florensac, Florès Le Picpoul de Pinet Patience, Picpoul de Pinet 2019 – 94 points
Terrasses du Larzac
Red
Mas d’Agamas, Baies Choisies, Terrasses du Larzac 2020 – 95 points
Mas Cal Demoura, Les Combariolles, Terrasses du Larzac, 2021 – 95 points
La Jasse Castel, Bleu Velours, Terrasses du Larzac 2021 – 94 points
Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette, Le Grand Pas, Terrasses du Larzac 2021 – 94 points
Pic St Loup
Red
Clos des Reboussiers, Pic St-Loup 2020 – 94 points
Domaine de l’Hortus, Le Dit de l’Hortus l’Ombrée, Pic St-Loup 2020 – 94 points
Le Chemin des Rêves, La Soie, Pic St-Loup 2021 – 94 points
Mas Bruguière, La Grenadière, Pic St-Loup 2021 – 94 points
Producers to look out for by appellation
Limoux
Clos Teisseire, Domaine de Mouscaillo, Domaine du Grès Vaillant, Domaine J Laurens, Les Hautes Terres
Corbières & Minervois
Château Beauregard Mirouze, Château Maris, Domaine Ledogar, Domaine la Bouysse, Maxime Magnon
La Clape
Château Les Bugadelles, Château Pech Redon, Château Rouquette sur Mer, Combes des Ducs, Sarrat de Goundy
St Chinian
Domaine de Pech Ménel, Domaine des Pradels-Quartironi, Domaine La Linquière, Terres Falmet, Thierry Navarre
Faugères
Domaine Binet-Jacquet, Domaine de Cébène, Domaine Ollier-Taillefer, Mas Gabinèle, Mas Lou
Picpoul de Pinet
Château Petit Roubié, Domaine Félines-Jourdan, Font-Mars, Les Vignerons de Florensac
Terrasses du Larzac
Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette, Le Clos du Serres, Les Vignes Oubliées, Mas Conscience, Mas d’Agamas
Pic St Loup
Domaine de L’Hortus, Domaine de Villeneuve, Le Chemin des Rêves, Mas Bruguière
See the Languedoc report 2023 homepage
See also – individual appellation analysis:
Limoux | Corbières & Minervois | La Clape | St Chinian | Faugères | Picpoul de Pinet | Terrasses du Larzac | Pic St Loup
Languedoc top-scoring wines:
The majority of the wines for this report were tasted blind. Below they are listed in score order.
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Domaine Binet-Jacquet, Réserve, Faugères, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
With its plush black fruit, lovely acidity, and succulent and melting tannins, this brilliant wine is gleaming with promise. A sapid, delectable palate of just-ripe...
2020
Domaine Binet-JacquetFaugères
Domaine de Cébène, Belle Lurette, Faugères, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
Soft, silky and ever so refined in texture - a defining feature of this radiant wine - the tannins are delicious, so soft and pillowy...
2021
Domaine de CébèneFaugères
Domaine de Cébène, Les Bancèls, Faugères, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
A deep, sensual wine of great intensity, a strong character with a wild heart. It's savoury and meaty, but also full of ripe, juicy, bubbling...
2021
Domaine de CébèneFaugères
Domaine de Cébène, Felgaria, Faugères, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2018
This is deliciously open and relaxed, showing first its deep, savoury and herbal qualities of menthol, liquorice and tobacco leaves, before presenting its ripe black...
2018
Domaine de CébèneFaugères
Mas Cal Demoura, Les Combariolles, Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
Beguiling, complex aromatics of plum skin, cherry stone, sage and thyme, with a light smoky touch. It's bright and alive in the mouth, with a...
2021
Mas Cal DemouraTerrasses du Larzac
Mas d'Agamas, Baies Choisies, Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
Brilliant aromatics on show here - pretty, delicate, delectable scents, a veritable potpourri of roses, violets, lavender and raspberry coulis. And it's delicious from the...
2020
Mas d'AgamasTerrasses du Larzac
Maxime Magnon, La Bégou, Corbieres, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2022
The accumulation of old vines, healthy fruit and a deft hand really cements this wine as a true reference point for the region. This wine...
2022
Maxime MagnonCorbieres
Château Maris, La Touge, Minervois, La Livinière, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
Gorgeously fragrant, freshly picked strawberries layered with bundles of fresh rosemary, mint and lemon thyme. An incredibly pure expression of fruit and wild herbs, building...
2020
Château MarisMinervois
Clos des Reboussiers, Pic St-Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
Pronounced smoky bacon, dried thyme, juniper and rosemary aromas are joined by black olive tapenade and eucalyptus on the palate. It's a savoury expression at...
2020
Clos des ReboussiersPic St-Loup
Clos du Gravillas, L'Inattendu, Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2022
Grenaches Blanc and Gris, with some Macabeu, perform a delicate dance here, with inviting aromas that flit between white florals, wet rocks and a fine...
2022
Clos du GravillasMinervois
Château Ollieux Romanis, Atal Sia, Corbieres, Boutenac, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
A masterpiece in fruit purity, showing lots of round plummy tones, sweeping blackberry and bramble richness, black cherry depth and such elegance and poise. The...
2021
Château Ollieux RomanisCorbieres
Château Petit Roubié, L'O Sur Lie Patience, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2022
94
Golden yellow in colour, the aromas span ripe pineapple and candied lemon peel to creamy leesy richness, followed by intensely salty lemons. The characteristic salty impression is strong here, making this mouthwatering, appetising and every so delicious. With its weighty mouthfeel, its ripe citrus and stone fruit character, and its honeyed complexity, this would work well at the table. It still has a fresh lick of lime and grapefruit to keep it zesty, too. Yum.
2022
Château Petit RoubiéPicpoul de Pinet
Domaine Balansa, Can del Rey, Fitou, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
Smoky black fruit and crushed flint aromas spill from the glass. The fruit concentration is profound, and there's a satisfying crushed strawberry fragrance which brings...
2020
Domaine BalansaFitou
Domaine de l'Hortus, Le Dit de l'Hortus l'Ombrée, Pic St-Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
Aerial and radiant in aroma, pulsing with red cherry, violets, blackberry and cacao wrapped around dried sage and smoke. Juicy and tactile, velvety and smooth,...
2020
Domaine de l'HortusPic St-Loup
Domaine des Pradels-Quartironi, Le Moineau des Glycines, St-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
Pale in colour with focused lemony, chalky aromas, bright blossom, yellow apple, macadamia and lemon zest. Concentrated and full of flavour, showing beautifully pure lemon...
2020
Domaine des Pradels-QuartironiSt-Chinian
Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette, Le Grand Pas, Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
Dark plum and black cherry aromas, with an iodine, mineral, slate/stone background note. It's incredibly floral as well, showing iris and violet, with lavender and...
2021
Domaine du Pas de l'EscaletteTerrasses du Larzac
Domaine Jones, Vieilles Vignes, Fitou, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
Exquisite Carignan aromas of smoked meat, charcuterie, thyme and rich black fruit introduce this Fitou, leading to a dense but approachable palate. Brimming with black...
2021
Domaine JonesFitou
Domaine Ledogar, Corbieres, Boutenac, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2019
A bold patchwork of plump black fruit, leather and spice, hemmed in by salty liquorice and grilled meat notes. Cocoa nibs and roasted coffee beans...
2019
Domaine LedogarCorbieres
Domaine Ledogar, La Compagnon, Corbieres, Boutenac, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
Generous on spice and bold on fruit, yet everything is all still in balance. Cracked black pepper and cumin meld with crunchy just-ripe blueberries, wild...
2020
Domaine LedogarCorbieres
La Jasse Castel, Bleu Velours, Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
Aerial and delicate aromas of crushed raspberries, jewels of pomegranate, damson and tomato leaf waft from the glass, a gorgeous introduction to this elegant wine....
2021
La Jasse CastelTerrasses du Larzac
Le Chemin des Rêves, La Soie, Pic St-Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
Impenetrable inky depth to the colour. Intense aromatics that combine rich and concentrated black fruit with crushed rocks, slate and black olive, providing a well-balanced...
2021
Le Chemin des RêvesPic St-Loup
Les Vignerons de Florensac, Florès Le Picpoul de Pinet Patience, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2019
94
Golden flecks in the glass. Bold, alluring and complex aromas swirl from the glass, showcasing notes of candied peel, melon, dried mango, and tinned pineapple, with touches of hay and oatmeal. It's ripe, opulent and creamy. Concentrated, intense, and impressive. This still has lots of acidity and freshness, but is perhaps not as saline as the variety can sometimes seem. Flamboyant, but successful.
2019
Les Vignerons de FlorensacPicpoul de Pinet
Mas Bruguière, La Grenadière, Pic St-Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
A beautiful expression of Syrah built on youthful black fruit, spanning black plums, forest berries and black olives. Textured like crimson silk, with clean, defined...
2021
Mas BruguièrePic St-Loup
Thierry Navarre, Cuvée Olivier, St-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2020
Dark and rich but not heavy, with lifted peppery, scorched tones over the black cherry, liquorice and bramble fruit. Such a scrummy wine, so supple...
2020
Thierry NavarreSt-Chinian
Thierry Navarre, Le Laouzil, St-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
A dark expression on the nose, but this wine still shows great freshness under the freshly ground coffee and cocoa powder complexity. Wild cherries mix...
2021
Thierry NavarreSt-Chinian
Thierry Navarre, Ribeyrenc, St-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
A pale cherry-red in the glass, this genius wine is bright, juicy and fresh, a real tonic showing delicious orange zest, cranberry, raspberry, and loads...
2021
Thierry NavarreSt-Chinian
Terres Falmet, L'Ivresse des Cimes, St-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
<p>Rich and inviting, this is expressive and characterful, providing enticing, heady notes of black fruit and dried herbs. Bold, juicy blackberries sing harmoniously with notes...
2021
Terres FalmetSt-Chinian
