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Winemaker(s): Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot

Winemaker Anne Gros of Vosne-Romanee has discovered a new labor of love and wine in Minervois, in the Languedoc.  These wines -- cared for, harvested and vinified in tandem with her partner Jean-Paul Tollot -- are very impressive and a completely different style of Minervois wine.  

What we’ve experienced here (her first vintage is 2008) is plenty of southern Languedoc soul wrapped with the silky touch and suppleness found uniquely in Burgundy.   To be sure, Gros and Tollot are taking Minervois more seriously than it has ever been taken -- these wines take the Languedoc to a whole new level of quality and complexity.  

Finesse and precision are the two main characteristics of this new collection from Minervois, words more often used for Gros’ Burgundian crus.  The couple’s desire to capture the region’s unique “gout de terroir” has inspired them to make wine as if they were in Burgundy, by strict vine training, multiple green harvests as well as diligent sorting during harvest.   

Their 14 hectares of vineyards in Cazelles, north of Carcassonne, sit at the foot of the “Montagne Noir,” at some 660 feet above sea level -- curiously enough, the same altitude as Vosne-Romanée.  The higher elevation too helps Gros’ older-vine fruit achieve ideal balance, as the cooler evenings at altitude allowed grapes to ripen slowly and evenly.  A mix of limestone and sandstone delivers good mineral energy to each cru.  Wines are aged in a mix of tank and older/new barrels.   

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Domaine Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot “50/50” Vin de Table 2009 France / Languedoc-Roussillon Winemaker Anne Gros likes to call this silky yet structured, concentrated red a “true” table wine—a bottle that encourages one glass to follow another during the course of a leisurely homemade meal. Suggestions of summer garrigue, black pepper, juicy cherries and plums are rich and endlessly pleasing on the nose and palate. $27.95

Domaine Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot Minervois La Ciaude 2009 France / Languedoc-Roussillon This is Gros’ “great terroir” wine, one that benefits from a unique vein of limestone à la Burgundy. “La Ciaude” is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan—and the Carignan vines are 104 years old. Mineral energy combines effortlessly with an extraordinary rich and layered mouthfeel... $49.75

Domaine Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot Minervois Les Carretals 2009 France / Languedoc-Roussillon An utterly unique, 100% Carignan wine from a perfect 2-acre, chalky plot completely dedicated to ancient vines now 99 years old. The terroir here is also very Burgundian, littered with white rocks and rich in chalk. $62.35

Domaine Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot Minervois Les Fontanilles 2009 France / Languedoc-Roussillon Elegant, silky fruit and peppery spark rolled into one. This small, walled vineyard is surrounded by wild garrigue and pine, the aromatic soul of the south of France, and the wine’s perfume is infused with these heady scents. A blend of Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache... $40.50

Domaine Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot “50/50” Vin de Table 2008 France / Languedoc-Roussillon Winemaker Anne Gros calls this ruby, nervous and wonderfully fresh wine a “true” table wine—a red that encourages one glass to follow another during the course of a leisurely meal. A blend of Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache; all tank made. Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.

Domaine Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot Minervois La Ciaude 2008 France / Languedoc-Roussillon This is Gros’ “great terroir” wine, one that benefits from a unique vein of limestone à la Burgundy. “La Ciaude” is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan—and the Carignan vines are 104 years old. Mineral energy combines effortlessly with an extraordinary rich and layered mouthfeel... $44.38

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