From: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Varietals: mainly Syrah with some Grenache and Carignan
Tasting Notes: With a beautiful carmine red color, this wine exhibits aromas of raspberry, juicy cherry, and wild ripe strawberry alongside shades of spice and black pepper. The palate of this distinctly Mediterranean wine is flavorful and rich without being heavy, showing lush red fruits similar to the nose with hints of bay bay leaf, mild spice, and black pepper that lead to a lively, savory finish.
Pairing: This wine will taste great with an assortment of foods from lamb grilled with garlic and herbs de Provence to a roast chicken, hearty stews, ratatouille, sausages with crispy potatoes, or your favorite burger. It will be a great accompaniment to the combination of sweet and savory elements in the following dish.
Lamb and Fig Skewers With Honey and Rosemary by Melissa Clark
About. In 2001, Maison Hecht & Bannier began its vinicultural journey, led by Gregory Hecht and François Bannier. As students in Burgundy, the pair discovered a shared passion for exploring Burgundian cellaring secrets, unaware that it would lead to the beautiful terroirs of the Mediterranean. Gregory’s demanding nature and unwavering commitment to his choices were evident during his previous tenure as the wine buyer for Groupe Flo, France’s largest catering company. His meticulous tastings left an indelible mark on the domaines he visited as he painstakingly curated wine lists of exceptional quality. François, on the other hand, commenced his career in the world of Champagne, where the art of blending reaches its pinnacle. He honed his craft at prestigious houses like Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin and later within the Remy Martin group for Charles Heidsieck. These formative experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for the intricacies of blending, a skill that would become integral to their joint venture. Their tireless exploration of vineyards, endless debates, and passion for blending culminated in late 2003 with the bottling of four unique cuvées from Southern France appellations.
In Southern France, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, extends the most ancient and largest vineyard area in France: the Languedoc-Roussillon. Hecht & Bannier growers here cultivate a rich tapestry of red varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault in the area’s diverse soils–marl molasses, limestone, schist, clay, sandy coastal soils, and more. The climate is marked by abundant sunshine and the influence of the Mistral and Tramontana winds.
This wine is a blend of organic grapes; mainly Syrah with small amounts of Grenache and Carignan. The Syrah comes from vineyards in Saint Chinian and the Terraces du Larzac, while the Grenache is from the Vallée de l’Agly in the Roussillon and the Carignan comes from Les Corbières in the Languedoc. The fruit-driven wine matured exclusively in concrete tanks to preserve the purity of the grapes in the blend.
