Highlights: high-end wines from Calmel & Joseph

Calmel & Joseph are an impressive, forward-thinking winery in France’s Languedoc region. They have a large domaine of 160 hectares of vines in the Haut Corbières, which they farm organically, and also act as negociants. The wines are consistently good. These are two of their top wines.

Calmel & Joseph Le Sentier 2019 Pays d’Oc, France
12.5% alcohol. Organically farmed Pinot Noir. Aromatic cherry fruit nose with some cedar and spice notes. The palate is supple and sweetly fruited with plums and berries, a touch of raspberry, and some savoury cedar spice notes. It’s nicely balanced with some savoury grip on the finish. Amazing to have a Pinot Noir this fresh and balanced from a warm climate. Lovely weight, finishing dry and grippy. 91/100 (£14 UK retail)

Calmel & Joseph Le Penchant 2019 Pays d’Oc, France
12.5% alcohol. Organically farmed Roussanne grown on sandy clay limestone soils. Settled for two days at 5 C, then fermented. Taut, spicy, slightly cedary citrus and pear fruit nose. The palate is bright and focused with an aniseed edge to the focused citrus fruit, with some notes of cedar and mandarin, as well as some aniseed. Nice concentration, density and freshness here. Impressive stuff. 91/100 (£14 UK retail)

UK agent: Daniel Lambert Wines

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