2021 Le Penchant Blanc

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.

Pale yellow, with golden highlights glittering with green. The nose is subtle and delicate, revealing acacia flowers and white peach, mango and ripe lemon, and a touch of aniseed. In the mouth, the balance of the tannins, the maturity and the freshness of the attack are astounding. It is an exemplary wine that is vibrant with energy, with a very Mediterranean palette of aromas taking in dill, mint, and aniseed, then after airing in the glass the tension eases to reveal vine peach, apricot, elderflower, and a hint of liquorice. Due to its continental position, the Domaine’s terroir gives us wine profiles of great elegance that promise magnificent evolution in the bottle.