Volcanicity !

Les Larmes Du Volcan 2012 – La Cave La Fontesole AOP Languedoc – 13%

Syrah 60% Grenache 35% Mourvedre 5%

With winter finally here, all be it for a few days, the fire glowing and the casserole prepared. I settled back with a glass of sunshine to further warm the soul.

Les Larnes du Volcan derives the name from the volcanic soil that surrounds the Fontes vineyards at the foot of the Cevennes Mountains in the south of the Languedoc. The mineral content of the soil clearly lends something special to this wine, as does the proximity to the cooling Mediterranean breeze.

I was taken by the colour initially, the purple colour appearing very vivid in the glass. On the nose there are the usual garrigue notes associated with this area, wild thyme and rosemary, and the abundance of dark fruits and spice. On tasting the wine is surprisingly rounded, there is minerality that’s detectable resulting in a dry finish, notes of cassis, dark cherries and black pepper. Medium to long finish.

Excellent with red meats and casserole, drink now, although will become deeper in flavour and further integrated over the next 2-3 years.