93 PTS 20011 'Las Combes' Wine Advocate, May 2014

"The 2011 Minervois La Liviniere Las Combes (100% Grenache) shows a perfumed, red fruit-driven style, with copious strawberry, kirsch, spice, ground herbs and hints of licorice to go with a medium-bodied, seamless and layered feel on the palate. I love the overall profile here, and this awesome Grenache has real class. Drink it over the coming 6-8 years."  Jeb Dunnuck

91 PTS CHATEAU MARIS LAS COMBES GRENACHE 2011

HIGHEST RATINGS FOR RED LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON

The Wine and Spirits Magazine, June 2015

60 year old vines planted in a vineyard paved with large chunks of limestone, this is Grenache with verve and drive. It sings with red cherry flavors, tangy and fresh, while the tannins chunnel through the wine, meaty and lightly gritty, holding the flavors strong,

The final wine has a pretty, deep magenta hue and an attractive scent of sweet damson fruits and black chocolate. It tastes equally enticing, brimming with cassis soaked black fruits and sweet spice. Velvety smooth with a long, lingering finish this wine is hugely versatile and will drink very nicely with all sorts of robustly flavoured foods. We think it's especially good with sausage, lentil and salami casserole.

The Vintage

The 2011 vintage began with plentiful rain over the winter: more than 200mm in December and a further 70mm in January. The wet soils took time to warm and the growth came later than in previous years.

The harvest began on the 8th September with Syrah, the first of the grapes to ripen.

It was important to be patient during fermentation and maceration as there was a temptation to rack too early. Each of the cuvées has shown the 2011 vintage to be one of power with generous aromas. Unique Carignans with aromas of black fruits and a concentrated palate with ripe tannins. The Grenache wines are generous with elegance and finesse whilst the Syrahs are wonderfully aromatic and with real presence in the mouth.

The Soils

The soils are brown through to red. The vineyard sites for this wine are formed on sedimentary rock with red, de-calcified clay.

Geology

Alluvial formation from the Quaternary period, coming from major river floods. 2 major types of rock: ‘Marin de l’Heridien (oceanic, tertiary era) and ‘Continentaux lacustres (oceanic)

Grape Variety

100% Grenache

The Wine

VInification: Vinified in wooden casks with gentle pumping over and ‘pigeage’ (punching down) for a long four-week maceration.

Ageing: 100% in oak for twelve months.

Tasting Note:

Colour: Deep purple.

Nose: Elegant and complex: cassis and grenadine with roasted coffee beans and cherry.

Palate: Rich, smooth and juicy with generous fruit.