Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fruits Sauvages’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Pays d’Oc, France)
Burgundian winemaker Laurent Delaunay has set up in the Languedoc region with his Abbots & Delaunay domaine. Les Fruits Sauvages (The Wild Fruit) is the entry-level wine from the humble Pays d’Oc appellation, made from a blend of two terroirs – the foothills of the Cévennes for spice, and vines in the Aude valley for soft richness. Only 10% of this ages in oak barrels, most of it sitting in stainless steel to retain fruit purity. The easy-to- love accessibility of this wine along with its instant complexity, hints of vanilla and bright-red to black berry flavours, delivers immediate enjoyment. It may be a touch simpler than the other wines in the recommendations, but it shows just how much good vineyard land there remains in the Languedoc for drinkers to discover. (A)
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