2012 Minervois La Ciaude

The 2012 Minervois La Ciaude, which is mostly old-vine Carignan with smaller parts Syrah and Grenache, also has serious minerality to go with tangy black cherry, black fruits, leather and violet aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, tight, energetic and elegant, it will have a decade of longevity. Vosne-Romanee-based Anne Gros and partner Jean-Paul Tollot (of Domaine Tollot-Beaut) fashion serious, structured and age-worthy efforts from their estate located in the northern part of the Minervois. I spent the better part of an afternoon with Anne, touring all of her vineyards, and the terroir here is spectacular, with diverse soil and exposure between each of the sites. The wines have vibrant, if not crunchy, acidity, good concentration and beautifully made profiles that will benefit from short-term cellaring. While I hate to use the term Burgundian here, these efforts certainly have a tension and energetic feel (while not lacking fruit) that’s unique to the region. Importers include United Estates Wine Imports (Connie and Patrick Allen Selections), Worthington, OH; tel. (614) 543-1427; and North Berkeley Wine Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (800) 266-6585