The Wine Front – GARY WALSH - THE WINE FRONT
This is our regular Provence rosé, and I’d reckon we’ve knocked off (easily) more than 20 bottles since last spring, so I thought I’d better push out a note. Pale. White peach and redcurrant, a bit of tang and ruby red grapefruit, light chalky feel, freshness and vibrancy. Good zesty length. Such a good drink. It keeps you coming back for more…
Antonio Galloni/Vinous – ‘Brilliant ruby-red. Spice-accented dark berry, cherry pit and succulent flowers on the perfumed nose. Fleshy and
broad in the mouth but lively as well, offering sappy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter
with air. Closes gently tannic, with very good energy and persistence, leaving a spicecake note behind. Drink 2018-
2022.’
World Wine – "Leading off the three Châteauneuf Du Papes, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Trois Sources comes from more sandy soils just across the road from the estate. It always shares more stylistic similarities with the Réserve and is more opulent, sexy, and fruit loaded compared to the Hauts-Lieux cuvée. This 2017 is spectacular, offering loads of black fruits, black licorice, ground herbs, violets, and some obvious loamy soil and mineral-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, expansive, and multi-dimensional, this is another singular wine from Jean-Paul Daumen that tastes like the essence of this stunning terroir." 95 points Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac Les Obriers offers fabulous Cinsault character and shows how interesting this variety can be when done right. Incredibly floral and perfumed, with sweet blackberry, violets, lilacs and exotic spices, this medium-bodied, elegant and silky effort builds on the palate, shows notable freshness and a pure, hard-to-resist feel. I'd drink it over the coming 4-5 years, but it will evolve for longer.
The Wine Front – Barossa Valley blend of grenache and cinsault from one of Australia's premier producers. It's light. It's spicy. It's insistent. This is not heavy in any way and yet it presses itself upon you. It's hard to fathom how it does it. It tastes of super-fresh raspberry, earth and crushed spice and, simply, it just works
James Halliday – "Pete Schell makes a damn fine rosé. This year it's 52/30/16/2% grenache/mataro/shiraz/cinsault and it sits light salmon in the glass showing aromas of nectarine, raspberry and grapefruit along with hints of redcurrant jelly, white flowers, crushed stone and maybe a touch of lanolin. Sapid and fine with a lovely shimmering acid line and savoury palate shape and an endearing lipsmacking briny finish that begs another glass.” - Dave Brookes, Wine Companion
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – “Pale crimson/salmon-like colour, redcurrant flavours, dry, savoury, earthen, that kind of thing. Firmly in the ‘pale and dry’ camp. Watermelon characters, maybe some grapefruit, definitely some spice. Light in a good way. Frisky but with plenty going on. Good gear.” - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
Cinsault, often considered the underdog of the wine world, boasts a rich history that traces back to the south of France. Characterized by its thin skin and heat resistance, this grape variety thrives in warmer climates. With a typically ruby red hue, Cinsault wines offer an aromatic bouquet of fresh red fruits like strawberries and cherries. Its subtle floral notes, paired with hints of spices, make it a delightful experience for both the novice and the connoisseur. Due to its versatile nature, Cinsault is frequently used in blends, complementing other grape varieties to produce wines with intricate flavors and long-lasting finishes. Its light to medium-bodied profile makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a wine that's both refreshing and robust in character. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a sumptuous meal, Cinsault always promises an enchanting taste exploration.
Cinsault wine is crafted from the Cinsault grape, an ancient variety that is believed to have originated in the Hérault region of southern France. Often described as the “silent partner” in the wine world, Cinsault is recognized for its robust resistance to heat and its role as a blending grape in many revered wines. Typically, wines produced from Cinsault have a vibrant ruby red hue and a flavor profile dominated by fresh red fruits such as cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. Additionally, Cinsault wines possess light floral nuances and a peppery kick, making them distinctive and easily identifiable to those familiar with its character.
The Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France is often hailed as the ancestral home of Cinsault and produces some of the finest expressions of this grape. However, its adaptability to warmer climates has led to its successful cultivation in regions like South Africa's Swartland and parts of the New World, particularly California and Chile. Each region brings its unique terroir-driven touches, but the intrinsic qualities of Cinsault always shine through.
The popularity of Cinsault wines has been on the rise, especially with the natural wine movement gaining traction. In the Languedoc-Roussillon region, old-vine Cinsault wines have garnered attention for their depth and complexity. Meanwhile, in South Africa, labels such as "The Sadie Family" have been celebrated for their Cinsault varietals. The New World regions, including California, also produce Cinsault-based wines that have been acclaimed for their modern interpretation of this traditional grape.
Value in the wine world often equates to wines that offer exceptional quality at an affordable price point. Cinsault, being a lesser-known varietal compared to giants like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, often delivers exceptional value. Many wines from South Africa's Western Cape and the Languedoc region in France offer delightful Cinsault expressions without the hefty price tag. Consumers looking for a balance of price and quality often turn to these regions for their Cinsault fix.
Given its light to medium-bodied nature and fruity essence, Cinsault wines are wonderfully versatile when it comes to food pairings. They work seamlessly with Mediterranean dishes like tapenade or ratatouille. Grilled meats, especially lamb and pork, complement the peppery nuances of Cinsault. Its freshness also makes it an apt choice for pairing with lighter fare such as salads, charcuterie, and soft cheeses. The wine's versatility ensures it can grace many a dinner table, enhancing a variety of dishes.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.