This 2023 vintage offers an easygoing yet lively expression of southern French winemaking. Named after a celebrated muse of the Belle Époque, known for inspiring French Impressionist painters with her beauty and spirit, the wine carries a sense of charm. With its origins in the Languedoc, drawing fruit from the sun-drenched plains near Béziers and Valras-Plage as well as the higher ground of the Minervois, it captures a warm, Mediterranean spirit.
At first pour, a scent of red berries rises gently, hinting at cherries and perhaps a touch of raspberry. Unlike some Pinots that lean into earthiness or darker, forest tones, this is lighter in style but not lacking character. The structure, surprisingly, is a little firmer than one might expect at this price point, with a tannin grip that initially felt a touch assertive. However, after a couple of days open, the wine settled nicely and became very enjoyable on its own. That said, the earlier, more pronounced, tannins make it a strong companion with food.
It doesn’t pretend to be complex or profound, but what it does, it does with charm and good value. At £8 as part of a mix-six from Majestic, it’s approachable yet with enough structure to keep it interesting.
