Les Grandes Costes, Pic St Loup, 2009 - The Co-operative

This Les Grandes Costes, Pic St Loup, 2009 from The Co-operative is yet another Languedoc wine that punches well above its weight.

Made from a blend of hand-picked Syrah and Grenache from low-yielding old vines, half the wine is aged in French oak for 16 months. The press release also adds that the wine, part of The Co-op's finer range, is from an old Languedoc domaine of just 14ha which has been family-owned since 1868.

Characterful and technically well-made, this is full of ripe southern warmth. On the nose there is black cherry, some garrigue herbs, dark spice and aromatic violets. The palate follows through with with more ripe plummy, black cherry and elderberry fruit cut through peppery spice, sweet vanilla and a fresh acidity that suggests altitude.

There is also good concentration and structure with firm, grippy tannins and a long, persistent, savoury finish.

A classy, darkly spicy yet sensual beauty this is Vesper Lynd in oenological form.

Match with herby sausages, lamb with rosemary wrapped in pancetta or duck with cherries and spiced jus.

£12.99 from The Co-operative; provided for review.

Other related articles
The Co-operative Premium Mendoza Malbec
Abbotts and Delaunay, Boreas Faugères
AOC Languedoc Dinner at Ampersand Hotel

Links
The Co-Operative - website, twitter
Les Grandes Costes - website

Image credits: wine, Vesper