The Languedoc region of France gets a bit of a bad rap, due to the huge number of less than stellar wines that are classified as Vin de Pays d'Oc (although there are plenty that are good, also!) But the Coteaux du Languedoc is another story. Only the finest soils of the region qualify, and there are strict rules on the grapes used. The wines must consist of at least 50% Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre, with any remainder being from other typical Rhone varietals.
The Chateau Puech-Haut 2010 is a great example of what the appellation can produce. Wonderful raspberry and spice on the nose, with just a hint of garrigue to make it special. And all of those flavors carry over to the palate, along with a little bit of dark fruit. While not as earthy as many Rhone wines from Gigondas or Vacqueyras, it is their equal or more in terms of body and depth. To top it off, the balance is superb, making it a great match with a nice steak (it will stand up to a ribeye off the grill), but also a great wine to drink on its on.
For any fan of big Rhone wines, this is Highly Recommended.
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