Top 10 Languedoc-Roussillon Organic Reds For 2021
14th October 2021
Named 'Languedoc Specialist Retailer of the Year' by Decanter, we've long been committed to the wines of Languedoc-Roussillon consistently uncovering a well-loved range of styles, appellations and producers, from classic to new wave!
"Stone Vine & Sun has long been committed to the wines of Languedoc-Roussillon but its list has not stood still, covering an excellent range of styles, appellations and producers, from classic to new wave – testament to frequent buying trips and the dedication of the team."
Olivia Mason, Decanter.
With its southern France location making the climate of Languedoc-Roussillon ideally situated for producers to create stunning organic wines​, now is the time to discover our hand-picked Top 10 Languedoc-Roussillon Organic Reds For 2021:
- Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres, Amandiers Rouge, 2019
- Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres Rouge, 2019
- Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres Rouge, Cuvee Cistus, 2018
- Domaine Pegaline, Pic Saint-Loup, L'Elementaire, 2019
- Domaine du Grand Arc, Corbieres Rouge, Reserve Grand Arc, 2018
- Domaine du Grand Arc, Corbieres, La Thebaide, 2018
- Domaine Begude, Le Cerisier Pinot Noir, IGP Haute Vallée de l’Aude, France, 2020
- Mas des Brousses, Chasseur des Brousses, IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, 2019
- Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2018
- Mas Seren, Etincelle Nomade, IGP Cévennes, 2020
Here’s our hand-picked list of the Top 10 Languedoc-Roussillon Organic Reds For 2021
Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres, Amandiers Rouge, 2019
An unoaked blend of half Syrah with 20% of Grenache and Carignan and 10% Mourvèdre. Fascinating herby scent – dried thyme. This has a crunchiness which is refreshingly appealing - summer puddingy, with the bite of blueberries and redcurrants. Tangy, lively, mildly rustic, it’s a great introduction to the style here. Now-2023
THIS WINE IS NOW OUT OF STOCK, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUR DELICIOUS SELECTION OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON ORGANIC REDS HERE.
Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres Rouge, 2019
The estate’s principal wine, an unoaked, life-enhancing blend of Grenache and Syrah with a little Carignan and Mourvèdre. Youthful, vibrant purple. A lively and concentrated blast of fresh blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry fruit. Transparent and expressive – a classic example. Now-2024
“Smells like hot plum jam on a leather saddle, like a blueberry pie that’s been pulled out of the oven just in the nick of time. I wondered if this was going to turn out a bit too funky when I first smelt it, but the fruit is philharmonic. Burly, but Rubenesque. Ram-packed with bramble berries and blackberries and hedgerow leaves and stems and rock dust. Despite all the fruit, there is a neat, long bitter spine that tastes as if it’s been spliced from quinine, black-olive pomace, grapefruit pith and wormwood, so the wine, as a whole, is not a fruit bomb but something far more interesting. This is a wine with the identity of Faugères tattooed onto its soul. The wine defines Faugères; Faugères defines the wine. GV. 16.5/20” Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com, 20th May 2021
THIS WINE IS NOW OUT OF STOCK, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUR DELICIOUS SELECTION OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON ORGANIC REDS HERE.
Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres Rouge, Cuvee Cistus, 2018
Named after the cistus or rock rose, the pretty shrub which dots the hillsides, a blend of 70% Syrah with 30% Mourvèdre. 2018 was a very small harvest (after problems with mildew) of high quality; 60% was aged in 500-litre barrels, and the rest in tank. A dark wine - dark in hue and dark in flavour profile - showing black cherry and cassis accented by black chocolate oak hints and liquorice. Fragrance of the garrigue. Still youthful and vigorous; with lurking mineral depths. Now-2026
“I can see exactly why they’ve called this wine Cistus. The extraordinary smell of cistus, a Mediterranean rock rose, is called labdanum in the perfume industry. In the hot days of Languedoc summer, the volatile oils from the leaves fill the air, dropping on and clinging to the grape skins as night cools. Wines made in vineyards surrounded by cistus-dominated garrigue often have this gorgeous, resiny, pine-and-lemon top-scented but leatherplum-honey base-scented character, and this is no exception. The tannins are almost soothingly supple, but belted tightly to the wine. Without a second’s hesitation, I would bring out the pasture-raised prime rib of beef. 17/20”, Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com, 20th May 2021
THIS WINE IS NOW OUT OF STOCK, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUR DELICIOUS SELECTION OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON ORGANIC REDS HERE.
Domaine Pegaline, Pic Saint-Loup, L'Elementaire, 2019
50% Syrah, 20% of each of Grenache and Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault. So instantly classy is this that we were totally knocked out. Very deep hue. Lovely, violet-accented, Syrah perfume. Mélange of wild strawberry, red and black cherry, spiced with pepper and black liquorice. Proper structure built on fruit (as opposed to oak) tannins. Just a little of that attractive malted note one often finds in Pic Saint-Loup reds. Now-2024
“New arrival Pégaline’s Elémentaire proves how unnecessary small oak is to age pristine Pic fruits: this concentrated, fine value wine is elegant, stealthy, seamless. Intricate floral notes combine with deft bramble and sloe fruits and gratifying tannins: a hugely impressive début. 93/100. 2021 – 2026”, blind tasted by Andrew Jefford, October 2020, Pic St-Loup.. the 12 wines worth seeking out, Decanter.com
THIS WINE IS NOW OUT OF STOCK, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUR DELICIOUS SELECTION OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON ORGANIC REDS HERE.
Domaine du Grand Arc, Corbieres Rouge, Reserve Grand Arc, 2018
This is the latest vintage of one of our staples at SVS: about 50% Carignan, with 35% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre, aged in two to four year old barrels. It;s a splendid robust wine: vivid, inky purple; exhales an expensive perfume of berries and vanilla, and delivers a spicy, red-fruited, lightly savoury mouthful, backed by well-judged fruit tannins. It's as gutsy as a more expensive southern Rhône and as elegant and concentrated as a much more expensive Bordeaux. Now-2024
We have been buying from Grand Arc since 2002: here Nicolas Schenk is now running the family estate created by his father Bruno. The vines lie on classic argilo-calcaire soils, with some sandstone, around Cucugnan, in a valley of the Massif des Corbières in the south of the appellation, overlooked by the amazing hill-top Cathar castles of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse. The family have been following organic principles for 20 years but Nicolas was behind the final push to certification for the 2016 vintage. He has a keen interest in biodynamics and is also continuing his father’s pursuit of minimal intervention, in particular using natural yeasts and only a tiny amount of sulphur at bottling.
THIS WINE IS NOW OUT OF STOCK, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUR DELICIOUS SELECTION OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON ORGANIC REDS HERE.
Domaine du Grand Arc, Corbieres, La Thebaide, 2018
A new wine for us, from approximate quarters of Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, well-oaked. Very deep hue. Rich, complex fruit palate of blackcurrant, blackberry and blueberry, with notes of woodsmoke and liquorice. The Cinsault brings grace and freshness. Decant to serve now. Super wine and a keeper. Now-2026
We have been buying from Grand Arc since 2002: here Nicolas Schenk is now running the family estate created by his father Bruno. The vines lie on classic argilo-calcaire soils, with some sandstone, around Cucugnan, in a valley of the Massif des Corbières in the south of the appellation, overlooked by the amazing hill-top Cathar castles of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse. The family have been following organic principles for 20 years but Nicolas was behind the final push to certification for the 2016 vintage. He has a keen interest in biodynamics and is also continuing his father's pursuit of minimal intervention, in particular using natural yeasts and only a tiny amount of sulphur at bottling.
THIS WINE IS NOW OUT OF STOCK, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUR DELICIOUS SELECTION OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON ORGANIC REDS HERE.
Domaine Begude, Le Cerisier Pinot Noir, IGP Haute Vallée de l’Aude, France, 2020
Now renamed the cherry tree, this Pinot is a long term favourite here, fresh and pure (just 10% goes into old barrels) and perfect for warmer weather, served cool with a plate of charcuterie or mild cheese. Inviting nose of wild strawberries and cherries. A lovely clean and fresh palate with strawberry, raspberry and cherry flavours. Juicy and ripe with a crisp, long finish. Now-2022
This wine is now out of stock, but you can see our delicious selection of Languedoc-Roussillon Organic Reds here.
Mas des Brousses, Chasseur des Brousses, IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, 2019
This is from organically farmed (and certified) vines up in the wild hills at Puechabon, north-west Montpellier. The recipe for this successful marriage of Bordeaux and the south has changed over recent years; in this vintage it's based on young vine Mourvedre with old vine Merlot, plus a little Syrah and Grenache. Juicy, sappy red cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant flavours - spiced by a little of Mourvedre's savouriness. This feels crunchy and vital - very moreish and perfect for spring and summer drinking. Energy and aromatics on the finish. Now-2023
THIS WINE IS NOW OUT OF STOCK, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUR DELICIOUS SELECTION OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON ORGANIC REDS HERE.
Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2018
Consistently the most elegant and ageworthy wine in our Languedoc portfolio; distinguished by the high proportion of Mourvèdre (about half, plus Syrah and Grenache). Seductive Mediterranean perfume of garrigue, autumnal fruit and vanilla oak. Super-smooth palate of blackberry tinged with bay leaf and liquorice. Already so sophisticated and will last for years. Now-2026
This wine is now out of stock, but you can see our delicious selection of Languedoc-Roussillon Organic Reds here.
Mas Seren, Etincelle Nomade, IGP Cévennes, 2020
"Certified AB and Ecocert organic. 60% Syrah, 40% Cinsault. 8,500 bottles produced.
So, so peppery. This is crackling with pepper, with fire. With iron, with blood. Yet gentle. Insistent. Rhythmic. Sad-happy. It tastes, and feels, like, a storybook story. GV 16.5/20, Drink 2021-2025" Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com, May 2021
Last spring Jancis Robinson praised the 2019 vintage as being a “really interesting, artisanal red”, and the 2020 vintage is just as wild and promising. Etincelle Nomade translates as nomad spark. (This area still sees transhumance, the seasonal movement of flocks from lower, warmer pastures to the mountains). From 60% Syrah and 40% Cinsault: the latter brings bright strawberries to the blueberry of the Syrah. Lithe and supple, a true vin de soif, this pure and lively red is perfect for summer drinking. Now-2022
THIS WINE IS NOW OUT OF STOCK, BUT YOU CAN SEE OUR DELICIOUS SELECTION OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON ORGANIC REDS HERE.
Exclusive to Stone, Vine & Sun
Join us in our love of Languedoc-Roussillon & their beautiful selection of Organic Reds For 2021.
We source our amazing wines from small independent wine makers and as such you’re unlikely to find them anywhere else in the UK.
Due to their exclusivity, these beautiful red wines may sell out. If any of our top Top 10 Languedoc-Roussillon Organic Reds For 2021 is out of stock, you can view our range of reds from Languedoc-Roussillon on the website or you can get in touch with us & we’d be delighted to suggest some incredible Languedoc-Roussillon alternatives to get you started on your path to new wine discovery.
