If you spend any time on Instagram browsing wine-related posts, in the UK, you’ll almost certainly come across this wine, often advertised by Laithwaites with an enticing offer to lure you into making your first purchase. But is it any good?
This Languedoc-Roussillon red has a respectable 4.1 rating on Vivino and ranks #2 in the Top 25 Languedoc-Roussillon Red wines in the United Kingdom. The previous vintage even scored 5 stars at the Concours International Gilbert & Gaillard.
Made by master winemaker Hervé Sabardeil, this wine follows the centuries-old style beloved by Roman centurions. It’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan, with a 13% ABV. The vines, many of which are over 50 years old, contribute to its depth and complexity. Notably, it’s Laithwaites’ most popular red.
The 2023 vintage has a deep purple colour and is medium to full-bodied. On the nose, it offers inviting aromas of raspberries and strawberries, while the palate reveals intense flavours of blackcurrant. This wine is sweeter than most reds, but not as sweet as say Apothic or 19 Crimes, striking a medium-sweet balance. The sweetness makes it very approachable, ideal for pleasing a diverse party crowd or with greasy food like burgers, though I suspect diehard connoisseurs will turn their noses up at it. I actually found it excellent to start, but with subsequent tasting the sweetness gradually intruded. It has low but acceptable tannins and a long finish.
Available from Laithwaites, it’s priced at £10.99 when you mix six or more bottles.
