Les Dégustations Ugo

Sometimes, a white wine from the Languedoc looks you straight in the eye and reminds you why you stopped drinking plain water. . Languedoc white, *Le Chemin des Garrenes* cuvée from Château Capion . Vintage: 2022 . 🍇: Roussanne, Clairette, Rolle, Viognier . 👀: In the glass, it makes an immediate statement. The color glows with a golden, sun-drenched intensité, reminiscent of ripened wheat under the midday sun, or the glint of a gold ring left behind on a warm, sandy beach. It is perfectly limpid. . 👃: On the nose, it’s an explosion. It begins with a bold hit of ripe white fruits, think luscious, melting pear, before shifting directly into notes of sun-baked *garrigue* (wild Mediterranean scrubland) and thyme, accented by the rich, floral touch characteristic of Viognier, evocative of a bouquet of honeysuckle. . 👄: On the palate, the entry is crisp and direct, quickly giving way to a roundness that feels almost tactile—an enveloping sensation, much like an oversized cash...

Domaine Le Fort presents a VDP d’Oc that punches well above its weight class. Forget those wines where the oak is laid on with a trowel, burying the fruit entirely; here, the oak acts like a bespoke suit, tailored to enhance a radiant Chardonnay. . Domaine Le Fort ‘Blanche’ VDP d’Oc (White) . Vintage: 2024 . 🍇: 100% Chardonnay. Aged in oak barrels. . 👀: In the glass, it appears as liquid gold not the heavy, aged gold of an heirloom wedding band, but a youthful, vibrant gold with an almost brazen brilliance. The "tears" (legs) trickle slowly down the sides of the glass luscious, promising a rich texture just waiting to reveal itself. . 👃: From the very first whiff, it’s an explosion. No need to bury your nose deep in the glass for minutes on end; the aromas come to you. Think fresh butter spread over toasted brioche and Bourbon vanilla, immediately balanced by a hint of candied lemon zest and a touch of crisp, fresh pineapple. The nose remains remarkably fresh e...

The 2023 La Dame isn’t a bottle trying to show off for the crowd; it’s simply out to please. . AOP Languedoc Red La Dame cuvée from Domaine Terre des Dames . Vintage: 2023 . 🍇: Grenache 45%, Carignan 35%, Syrah 20% . 👀: In the glass, it’s a deep red. The color is dark and brilliant, with lovely purple highlights. It promises fruit and substance, yet without the feeling that you’ll have to chew the wine. Visually, it feels warm and inviting. . 👃: And then... hello, basket of red and black fruit. Cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum... followed by spices, a touch of pepper, and something wilder almost garrigue -like. It smells of the scrubland after a hot day: thyme, dried herbs, warm earth. The Carignan brings a slightly rustic, earthy edge that adds character; the Grenache balances it with fruit; and the Syrah shows up in a leather jacket to inject a bit of rock 'n' roll into the mix. . 👄: The attack is supple and generous. The fruit is prominent, yet the wine ne...

A Languedoc white with character generous yet taut proving that sunshine can also yield finesse. . IGP Pays de l'Hérault white from Domaine Mas Jullien . Vintage: 2021 . 🍇: 50% Carignan Blanc, Chenin (approx. 20–30%), Grenache Blanc (approx. 10%). The blend is rounded out by Southern white varieties (approx. 5%) that add complexity to the cuvée, notably Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Viognier, and Gros Manseng. . 👀: In the glass, the wine displays a luminous golden-yellow hue, with highlights reminiscent of very pale olive oil caught in a sunbeam. It has a brilliant sheen. One anticipates a rather dense substance a texture that would coat the palate. . 👃: First swirl: the fruit is immediately apparent. Notes of ripe pear, yellow apple, and candied citrus emerge, conveying a sense of fully ripe fruit almost pastry-like. Then come touches of white flowers, fennel, and dried herbs. The Carignan Blanc adds a unique dimension, while the Chenin seems to introduce a cool b...

An accessible, warm, and thoroughly enjoyable wine the kind that makes you want to share it with others. . AOP Malepère Red, La Tour du Fort cuvée, Domaine Le Fort . Vintage: 2024 . 🍇: Merlot, Grenache, Cabernet Franc . 👀: The wine displays a beautiful, deep red hue, with a sense of richness and lusciousness that immediately makes you want to take the next step. It’s glossy and dense. Visually, it promises fruit, sunshine, and likely a few adventures to come. . 👃: On the initial nose, the focus is clearly on red and black fruit. Cherry, blackberry, and fully ripe fruit... accompanied by that warm sensation typical of Southern reds. The Grenache brings a sunny, luscious quality; the Merlot plays up the fruit and roundness; while the Cabernet Franc adds a bit of depth and definition. Then there’s a subtle spicy note that draws you back to the glass. . 👄: The attack is supple and fruity, with a rather generous mouthfeel. The red and black fruit notes return, offering a del...

A profound, spicy Languedoc—full of fruit, substance, and, above all, real personality. . AOP Languedoc Red, "L'Unique" cuvée from Domaine Terre des Dames. . Vintage: 2020. Production: 1,900 bottles. . 🍇: 80% Syrah, 20% Old-vine Grenache. . 👀: The color is deep and dark—almost black at the core—with garnet highlights appearing when swirled. Visually, it is dense yet not heavy; it possesses depth and dimension. You can tell right away that this wine isn't just going to offer a shy, fleeting hello. . 👃: On the initial nose, the Syrah takes center stage: black blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, violet, and sweet spices. Then it evolves. There is pepper, notes of *garrigue* (wild Mediterranean scrubland), and a slight smokiness—almost reminiscent of cured meat. The Grenache follows with a sun-kissed, generous quality, evoking ripe fruit. And then, the oak. Two years in 600-liter barrels inevitably leaves a mark, but here the oak plays a supporting role rather ...

What if the Big Bad Wolf actually had a soft heart? . Pic Saint-Loup Red, "Le Grand Méchant Loup" cuvée by Vignobles Vellas . Vintage: 2023 . 🍇: Syrah, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre . 👀: In the glass, it’s dark and deep—almost like garnet velvet. A color that doesn't ask for permission to enter the room. You can already sense the dark fruit behind the glass: something generous and sun-kissed, with a hint of mysterious shadow lingering in the background. In short, visually, the wolf is baring its fangs. . 👃: Syrah leads the way with dark fruit and spicy, peppery notes, while Grenache brings ripe fruit into the mix. Mourvèdre plays the tough guy, offering wilder, earthy notes with a touch of licorice. It smells a bit like blackberry jam decided to go camping in the *garrigue* scrubland. There’s sunshine, wild scrub, spices, and fruit. A truly mouth-watering nose. . 👄: The attack is bold and generous, with that dark fruit returning immediately. There is plenty of ...

A red IGP Côtes de Thongues blending three grape varieties that, together, can easily turn your glass into a mini Mediterranean getaway. . IGP Côtes de Thongues red, "Pech de Montfo" cuvée from Domaine Coste Rousse . Vintage: 2024 . 🍇: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault . 👀: Deep, brilliant ruby ​​red color, with a hint of violet intensity reminding you that the 2024 vintage is still a youngster. It makes you want to dive right in with your nose before you’ve even swirled the glass. . 👃: Fruit takes the lead: cherry, blackberry, black raspberry, with a touch of ripe plum. The Syrah adds a peppery, slightly spicy edge; the Grenache smooths things out; and the Cinsault brings a touch of freshness to the mix. It’s rich and sun-kissed, yet never heavy. . 👄: The attack is supple and fruity, with a solid presence on the palate but without delivering a "tannic punch." The fruit feels almost crisp and fresh—cherry, plum, and dark berries—followed by spices and a hint...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  We’re heading to the Côtes de Thongue in the south, where the sun seems to have signed a permanent contract. . IGP Côtes de Thongue Rosé, "Le Manpôt" cuvée from Domaine Bassac . Vintage: 2025 . 🍇: Cinsault, Cabernet Franc, Vermentino . 👀: The color hovers between salmon, pale copper, and a sunset refusing to leave the stage. The legs are steady and unhurried. You can already sense there’s some real substance under the hood. . 👃: First impression: it’s bursting with ripe red fruit. Crushed strawberry, jammy raspberry, and a cherry just starting to ease into vacation mode. Then, the supporting cast arrives. A touch of white peach, a hint of citrus zest, some dried flowers... and a woody caress that never tries to steal the spotlight. The barrel aging adds subtle vanilla, sweet spices, and almost a suggestion of toasted brioche. . 👄: The attack is supplie almost tender. Then, the wine gains depth and...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  An uninhibited, textured, luminous white wine that manages to be technical without being boring. . IGP Pays d'Oc white, "Rien à Cirer" cuvée by Anne de Joyeuse . Vintage: 2025 . 🍇: 100% Rolle . 👀: A brilliant, pale yellow hue with almost silvery highlights. It sparkles with that near-crystalline purity sometimes found in certain Mediterranean whites. The legs are fine and unhurried. It looks fresh, clean, and precise. . 👃: Initial nose: delicate. Then it opens up gently. Fresh pear, white peach, candied lemon zest. A hint of acacia blossom lingers like a memory of spring. And beneath it all, a subtle mineral sensation—slightly chalky—that adds tension. . 👄: The attack is crisp and direct. It kicks off with super-clean lemony tension, then the texture kicks in. And there, a surprise: the amphora aging imparts a distinctive grain. There is real depth and dimension—an almost tactile, slightly pow...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  Sometimes, you don’t need a grand château—just a bottle that shows up and says, “Relax, I’ve got this.” . IGP Pays d'Oc white, *Rien à Cirer* cuvée from Anne de Joyeuse . Vintage: 2025 . 🍇: Viognier . 👀: First visual impression: a pale yellow hue with very clean golden highlights. . 👃: It makes an immediate impact on the nose.Fresh apricot, white peach, acacia flowers, and a touch of ripe pear.Then, gently emerging in the background, a more intriguing note—something reminiscent of an infusion or even white tea, with a subtle honeyed undertone. The amphora aging works wonders here, letting the fruit speak for itself. . 👄: The attack is supple and immediate.It glides effortlessly across the palate. The Viognier delivers its signature generosity—yellow fruits, apricot nectar, and a rich texture that coats the mouth beautifully. But the cool part is how the amphora breaks the cliché of the overly exube...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  A generous, earthy red, with that rare blend of unapologetic rusticity and true Mediterranean elegance . Côtes du Roussillon red, Cuvée Dotrera from Domaine Mas Llossanes .  Vintage: 2019 .  🍇: Carignan and Grenache .  👀: A deep, intense garnet color with dark ruby ​​highlights . 👃: It opens with generous dark fruit: blackberry, black cherry, ripe plum. Then, the Carignan begins to speak. And that's where it gets interesting. There's a dry garrigue character, thyme crushed between the fingers, black olive tapenade, cracked pepper. A few seconds later, almost animal notes emerge. A subtle leather, cocoa, a hint of smoke, very southern, very vibrant .  👄: The attack is surprising. It's immediately expansive. The Grenache brings ample fruit, an almost sun-drenched roundness. Then the Carignan takes over. The tannins are present but elegant. Not aggressive, rather that rustic chic w...

🍷Eng And Fr Description of the Domain in the first comment  .  A full-bodied, sensual, spicy red, with enough depth to captivate wine lovers . Vdf red Cuvée La Diva from Domaine Terre des Dames .  Vintage: 2021 .  🍇: Syrah 55%, Grenache 30%, Allicante 15% .  👀: In the glass, it displays deep rubies with garnet highlights. The legs are slow, thick, almost languid… the kind of wine that takes its time before telling its story . 👃: First nose: a powerful burst of dark fruit. Black cherry, wild blackberry, candied plum. Then it gently shifts. Pepper, tapenade, bitter cocoa, a hint of sun-baked garrigue. It smells of the South without being overly sentimental. The aging in large French oak barrels is superbly managed: the wood doesn't mask the wine, it simply gives it an elegant finish before it's released . 👄: The attack is supple, almost charming. And then, bam: the wine expands. The Syrah provides the backbone, the Grenache softens the edges with...