2019 Calmel & Joseph La Marquise

17 points - Jancis Robinson

Founded in 1995, Calmel & Joseph specializes in Languedoc-Roussillon wines from across the region. Over the years, they have built close personal relationships with a large number of growers from all appellations. Convinced of the extraordinary potential of this region, oenologist, Laurent Calmel, and Jerome Joseph work together on the vinification, blending and ageing of wines with the common purpose of demonstrating the little known yet unique quality of these Mediterranean terroirs

For this cuvee the grapes were hand-picked and sorted the best bunches of Roussanne and Grenache Gris. They have produced a bright, translucent, wine tinged with gold. 2019 at Domaine Calmel and Joseph was cool and wet at the end of winter, followed by a hot summer. Late picking enabled the Roussanne to take its time ripening and develop intense aromas of white peach, apricot and white flowers. The influence of the oak ageing appears on the finish in a lovely nutty, spiciness. The Grenache Gris adds aromatic complexity with its citrus notes, but above all a fine minerality, with floral notes and exotic fruit intermingled with sweet almond. This is a highly polished white wine, refined and generous as only the Languedoc region can produce.