Château Jouclary Cabardès 2001

[Thraz]

Purchased in January 05, $9.50.

Looking into an earlier thread, I saw that there is only one Languedoc-Roussillon appellation that specifically lists merlot as one of the grapes that are allowed in the main mix. The appellation is Cabardès, which I had never heard of until then. It allows merlot and/or other western grapes. It took me a while to find a bottle of Cabardès, and I was not disappointed in the wine.

The nose is very good, very Bordeaux-like. Very mellow in the mouth (and less obviously Bordeaux-like to me, more of a cross between bordeaux and South), some red fruit, medium length - overall very good value and an interesting wine. 13.5% alcohol, but does not feel heavy. I have not been able to find the grape composition, but the mellowness makes me think there is actually a healthy percentage of merlot (the appellation allows them to have it, but they don't have to).

[This message has been edited by Thraz (edited 01-31-2005).]

[Innkeeper]

Don't know if it was my post on the Domaine du Mage, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne that you saw; but if not it is a blend of Merlot and Tennat from the South of France.

[Thraz]

I saw that post, but I was referring to another one about merlot in Languedoc AOCs. One reason the Mage is a VDP could be that it has a lot of merlot in an appellation that does not allow it? Not that it makes it any less good - on the contrary, it's part of the greater issue with AOCs.