Petit

Petit Roubie Tannat

£11.99

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Description

Hearty red with a smooth, dark chocolate finish.

Relatively rare, the Tannat grape which is of Basque origin, pops up in various vinous locations, but most famously in French ‘Madiran’, and more unusually, but successfully in Uruguay. It is famous for producing wines with very high levels of antioxidants. At Petit Roubie it produces quite a powerful, dark wine with plenty of tannic structure, yet with enough ripe fruit to balance the palate. Great value and a good partner for more hearty dishes.

88 Points, The Wine Gang, This organic Tannat wine (Tannat, the grape of Madiran and famous for producing wines with high levels of antioxidants) has a vibrant colour and cherry-fresh, almost Gamay-like nose with schist and cherry dryness. On the palate it is terribly pretty, the light tannins and fresh acidity along with that crisp cherry fruit and some herb nuances being charming and easy to drink.‘ May 2015 (2013 vintage)

Taste

Fresh-picked blueberry and cherry, Herb

Aroma

A touch of caramel, Intense blueberry

Olivier and Floriane Azan, originally from a family of apple growers near Montpellier, made the move into growing vines back in 1981 with the purchase of the Château Petit Roubié estate, which then comprised just 15 hectares. Situated in the village of Pinet, overlooking the Etang de Thau, the domaine offers a range of organically produced wines but with focus on the distinctive and increasingly sought after Picpoul de Pinet (a southern French version of Muscadet - according to many commentators). Soils are mainly a classic clay/chalk mix. By 1995 Olivier had converted the entire estate production to organic viticulture and Petit Roubié was the first producer of organic Picpoul de Pinet. He now farms a total of 60 hectares of vines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tannat, Carignan and Sauvignon Blanc. It is the Picpoul, though, that dominates. The variety is ideally suited to the maritime terroir, reflecting its origins perfectly. Its style provides the ideal foil to the copious quantities of oysters and mussels that are farmed out of the Etang de Thau just a stone's throw away. The variety thrives here managing to retain its vibrant acidity even under torrid summer Mediterranean sunshine. Olivier's winemaking is meticulous but essentially uncomplicated, preferring not to resort to excessive oak influence. He aims to deliver authentic wines with honest, clean, pure flavours.

Location

Reviews

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  1. New grape

    Tannat is not a grape I had tried before (or even heard of!), but I’m glad I tried it, because this wine is excellent, and good value I think

    Alastair

  2. One of my favourite reds, not too oaky or heavy but plenty of berry and cherry and dark chocolate flavours. I am so pleased that Vintage Roots list this fabulous wine.

    Julia (verified owner)