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The Coteux du Languedoc is located near Montpellier, only an hour or so by autoroute from the Southern Rhône. The grape varietals are similar to those in the Rhône, predominently Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Some producers also blend in some carignan or cinsault. Because the climate is hot and the grapes are more or less the same, Languedoc wines have a lot in common with the wines of the Rhône, which is one reason they are so appealing.
Château La Clotte-Fontane is located in the town of Salinelles. The Château de la Clotte was built atop the ruins of a Roman villa named La Clotha. In the 18th century, Jean Mouton de la Clotte added some architecture inspired by the Italian Rennaissance. In 1792, the Château burned and was later rebuilt. In the 1990's, the Château was restored by Maryline and Philippe Pages and returned to its original splendor. Philippe had another business before buying the property, owning an extremely lucrative company that made adult diapers (laugh now, but wait 'til you hit 75 and the faucet won't turn off, if you know what I mean...) When the vineyards reached production age half a decade ago, Philippe hired winemaker Jean Natoli, who also makes wines at several well-known neighboring properties. The Pages gave him carte blanche and let him design his own fantasy winery, The winery is located on several different levels so that the wines can be worked by gravity, and the temperature control equipment is state of the art. The winery is sparkling clean, and one gets the feeling they could literally eat off the floor! The Pages share another passion, which is bullfighting. They own a ganadería near Nîmes and occassionally have both Spanish and French bullfighters visit and play with the bulls. The vineyards surround the Château and total just under 100 acres, 35 of which are within the Coteaux du Languedoc and 65 of which are varietal-based wines sold in bulk. Two-thirds of the Mathiérou (60% Grenache / 40% Syrah, made with yields of 40 hl / ha): This wine comes from a sloped vineyard comprised of large red stones. Deep ruby color. Ripe black raspberry fruit with a touch of smoke; well balanced with additional notes of licorice. Wonderful by the glass wine!
Louise Rosé (60% Syrah, 40% Grenache, made with yields of 45 hl /ha): Great forward red fruits (strawberry, cherry, raspberry) with a lingering, dry finish. Excellent value!
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The Languedoc is one of Southern France's most exciting wine regions. For years, it was regarded as France's wine lake, accounting for massive quantities of inexpensive wine that was often bottled in gallon containers and sold very inexpensively to supermarket chains. The past fifteen years has seen a renaissance within the region, with hundreds of small producers making excellent wines of all colors from a wide array of appellations, all of which display distinctive character.
Coteaux du Languedoc appellation is Syrah, and one-third Grenache. The wines are named after the grandmothers of Philippe and Maryline Pages, who were vignerons in Corbières. Louise, for whom the rosé is named, was the first name of Madame Mathierou.
Cremailh (60% Syrah / 40% Grenache, made with yields of 30 hl / ha): This wine comes from a plateau of chalk and limestone soil. Rich, lush red fruit (raspberry) along with a hint of blueberry, and with a rich, full-bodied yet supple texture.