We have now blended our French Connection Classics, so here’s how
it went...
French Connection Saumur Blanc 2011
This wine is made
using Chenin Blanc with our partners at Cave de Saumur. The 2011 vintage was
never going to be easy, in fact the word most often heard this year is
‘compliqué’, but so far we’re happy. The new blend came out clean with tropical
notes of pineapple with bright fresh acidity. We decided to add 10% of a riper
ferment to add fruit weight and a touch of roundness. Eric the winemaker was
very happy with this.
French Connection Saumur Champigny 2011
This has been a difficult ride for the grape growers this season. They had a very warm spring, then a wet summer, but saved by an Indian summer in autumn! This Saumur is made from Cabernet Franc, with a blend of early picked lighter fresh wine, and later harvested ripe jammy wine. Overall the blend works well. It’s soft full and supple on the palate with the classic Loire freshness, well-defined flavours, and the potential to broaden out and develop.
This has been a difficult ride for the grape growers this season. They had a very warm spring, then a wet summer, but saved by an Indian summer in autumn! This Saumur is made from Cabernet Franc, with a blend of early picked lighter fresh wine, and later harvested ripe jammy wine. Overall the blend works well. It’s soft full and supple on the palate with the classic Loire freshness, well-defined flavours, and the potential to broaden out and develop.
There will be a lot of attractive Loire wines for you to enjoy!
French Connection Roussillon Villages 2011
This region benefited from the unsettled wet weather of the summer, breaking the decade long drought. The harvest levels needed to be controlled through green harvest (removing excess bunches) but the results are fantastic. The blend we completed with winemaker Sandrine Le Cam, shows a powerful nose, expresses primarily black fruit and garrigue spice, with finishes of floral notes. The palate begins with bright fruits, with a beautiful fleshy finish. The wine reveals the sweet fruit and smooth tannins of Grenache, rich central Syrah fruit, spice and structure from Mourvedre and the mocha notes of the Caramany Carignan. Superb!
This region benefited from the unsettled wet weather of the summer, breaking the decade long drought. The harvest levels needed to be controlled through green harvest (removing excess bunches) but the results are fantastic. The blend we completed with winemaker Sandrine Le Cam, shows a powerful nose, expresses primarily black fruit and garrigue spice, with finishes of floral notes. The palate begins with bright fruits, with a beautiful fleshy finish. The wine reveals the sweet fruit and smooth tannins of Grenache, rich central Syrah fruit, spice and structure from Mourvedre and the mocha notes of the Caramany Carignan. Superb!
French Connection Languedoc 2011
Made by Vignerons St Felix de Lodez and blended with the Vignerons Catalans winemaker Sandrine Le Cam, this year the wine looks great with rich fruit, sweet pepper spice, lifted fruit and a touch of integrated oak. The blend is made up from the local favourites, Syrah, Grenache, Carginan and Cinsault.
Made by Vignerons St Felix de Lodez and blended with the Vignerons Catalans winemaker Sandrine Le Cam, this year the wine looks great with rich fruit, sweet pepper spice, lifted fruit and a touch of integrated oak. The blend is made up from the local favourites, Syrah, Grenache, Carginan and Cinsault.
Enjoy!
