We recently tasted a white and a red wine from Château de la Jaubertie in Bergerac, an appellation that shares many similarities with Bordeaux but belongs to the South West wine region. We have also tasted a delicious and very affordable Languedoc from Corbières.
“BKWine Tastes”. It is a collection of wines we have tasted recently. It is often samples that producers have sent us to show us what they do or other bottles that we have come across at tastings or on our tasting table in the office.
Bergerac, South West
Mirabelle du Château de la Joubertie 2022, Bergerac Blanc Sec
Delicate and balanced acidity gives freshness to this rather full-bodied wine with slightly aromatic notes as well as apricots and a slight touch of honey. The 12 months in oak barrels leave a certain mark on the wine (but not too much). The grapes are 85% sauvignon blanc and 15% semillon. 17 euros at the estate.
Château de la Jaubertie, Merlot Malbec, 2020, Bergerac
Pleasant and intense aromas of dark and ripe fruit and plums. The structure is dense and concentrated, and you feel the warmth from the vintage 2020. At The overall impression, though, is of a well-balanced wine. 17 euros at the estate. A short period of cold maceration is done before fermentation. This vinification finshes in oak barrels.
Bergerac is just east of Bordeaux, and the grapes are the same. However, the climate is a little different, a little more continental than Bordeaux’s, although the influence of the Atlantic is also noticeable. The summers are warmer, but spring and autumn can, as in Bordeaux, be very humid.
Château de la Joubertie has 50 hectares of vines and has been organically certified since 2008. Their soil is a mix of calcareous and clay.
Corbières, Languedoc
Héritage de Bonnafous Blanc 2021, Corbières, Les Maitres Vignerons de Cascastel
A delicious white wine with fresh, floral aromas and hints of peaches and apricots. Very flavourful. It is full-bodied, has a good texture and mouthfeel (maybe some skin contact?), and is even a bit oily. The taste lingers for long. The grapes are grenache blanc, vermentino and macabeu. The wine has been fermented and aged in oak barrels of various sizes. Excellent value for 8.40 euros from the estate. Only 3% of Corbières wines are white.
The Les Maitres Vignerons de Cascastel cooperative is a good example of how cooperation in the wine industry can pay off. The cooperative was founded in 1921, at a time when many wine cooperatives were formed in France, especially in the southern part of the country. Before 1921, the winegrowers in the Cascastel area were independent, each with their own wine production. By creating a cooperative, they could develop the business and invest in the latest technology. The strategy has borne fruit and today, Les Maitres Vignerons de Cascastel has an excellent reputation.
Read more about what we have written about Les Maitres Vignerons de Cascastel here.
