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Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue Côteaux du Languedoc

We have been buying from this lovely property since the 1980s but it is only since 1993, when it was acquired by the Guida family that it has started to come truly into its own. A heavy investment of millions of francs has transformed the property. It has been a pleasure to watch the developments over the years and the beautiful château has now been completely restored to its former glory, as seen below.

The vineyard has grown from the 20 hectares of the 1980s to sixty five hectares of vines, and is situated just outside the village of Montagnac, where the sprawling vineyards overlook the oyster beds of the picturesque Bassin de Thau. Many is the picnic we have enjoyed feasting on the lovely view while enjoying a glass of their excellent Rosé!

As well as the heavy investment in the property, the other key to the startling success of the wines has been the acquisition of Jean-Claude Zabalia as the new winemaker in 1993. With each passing year he has strived both in the vineyard and the winery to produce better and better quality wines.

He has had a brand new cellar built, to store their oak-aged wines in. This is more like a temple with row upon row of new oak barrels, resting under a vaulted roof supported by classical pillars.

Robert Parker has listed the Bronzinelle as one of his top 30 wines, from literally thousands tasted over the year across the world! The March 2003 edition of Decanter magazine has placed St Martin at the top of the Côteaux du Languedoc. And, when we revisited Jean-Claude in the Spring of 2009 we were overwhelmed by the quality of the 2006 and 2007 vintages. Whereas, at one time, we were one of the first sources of St Martin wines in the UK, their success has now resulted in their availability in Oddbins and The Wine Society, albeit at much higher prices!

Domaine Saint Martin de la Garrigue, Cuvée Réservée 2006 £6.95 Vin de Pays des Côteaux de Bessilles Predominantly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and just a little Grenache, this wine is aged in the second year barrels from the prestigious Château Chasse-Spleen of the Médoc. It has a marvellous deep colour and a very expensive gently oaked nose gives way to a mouthful of intense cassis and damson flavours with a gorgeous silky texture, followed by soft tannin and a herby aftertaste, reminiscent of the terroir of the garrigue. Absolutely delicious now, but will keep well for up to five years.

Domaine Saint Martin de la Garrigue, Bronzinelle 2007 £7.95 AC Côteaux du Languedoc This is made from 30% Syrah 35% Mourvèdre 20% Grenache and 15% Carignan vieux. Each part is vinified separately at a controlled cool temperature, to maximise the extraction of primary fruit flavours. The cépages are then carefully assembled, and one third is aged in oak barrels before the final assemblage. In the Spring, we tasted the 2007 Bronzinelle and it is deep, ripe and bursting with succulent fruit. This is summer pudding in a glass. Amazing Value from us!

Mixed Case Price : £89.40

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