January progresses with the speed of a sloth and with short days and cold nights, it is really up to us to make our own sunshine. Turning to a warmer latitude for our wine of the week, how about a winter warmer from the South of France to bring some joie de vivre into our lives?
L’ Ostal Cazes Estibals offers a taste of the Languedoc’s finest side. Coming from the Minervois appellation, it features a distinctively regional blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Carrignan.
A moderate use of oak (French, 12 months) helps integrate flavours and adds depth to its spicy character.
Expect plenty of ripe black fruit, black cherries, plum and juicy blackberry, along with black pepper and toast.
Moderate in tannins and medium bodied, it is a rich and flavourful winter warmer that will kindly wrap your palate like a blanket (which would be ideal to have at hand to curl up with while sipping at home).
L’ Ostal Cazes Estibals is available at O’Briens Wine at €16.95 (and on “buy 1 get 2nd half price offer).
Gabriela’s passion for writing is only matched by her love for food and wine. Journalist, confectioner and sommelier, she fell in love with Ireland years ago and moved from Venezuela to Dublin in 2014.
Since then, she has written about and worked in the local food scene, and she’s determined to discover and share the different traditions, flavours and places that have led Irish food and drink to fascinate her.
Gabriela Guédez Gabriela Guédez
