Worth seeking out.
One of the Languedoc’s top appellations, Minervois, lies just north of Corbières. This had been one of the long-overlooked wine-making regions of France but now it is enjoying a celebrated reputation for classy wines, and La Petite Villa 2021 showcases one of its quality vintages.
La Petite Villa 2021 is a classic blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Mourvèdre is perhaps the least familiar grape of the trio. Its high tannin content makes it a favourite grape for blending with the fruity Grenache and spicy Syrah.
Place planted with vines
This wine originates in the town of La Livinière where wine production has been the predominant industry for centuries. The original name Lavineira actually means a ‘place planted with vines’. And those vines are still grown surrounded by the indigenous scrubland.
La Petite Villa 2021 is aged for 21 months in 228 litre French oak barrels, 500 litre ‘demi-muids’ and 2000 litre ‘foudres’ with 12 months maturation of the final blend to cultivate its full potential from both fruit and wood. The wine is bursting with black fruits, with added complexity from the barrels which have contributed notes of leather and tobacco. The tannins are well balanced, making this a great choice to pair with robust roast meats. It works well with lamb dishes and hearty stews.
La Petite Villa 2021 AOP Minervois La Livinière: 50% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache. RRP £27.