Pierre Cros Domaine Cros TRADITION Rouge Minervois

A seriously impressive wine from this bulk-producing area. Pierre Cros is a small grower who expends great care and produces an inkily-dark wine with spicy, pepper and leather aromas and powerful, concentrated, richly damson/forest fruit flavours. (12 x 75 cl)

Situated in Badens, a few kilometres from Carcassonne, the vineyards of Domaine Cros sit on the poorest of poor shallow stony argilo-calcaire soils so stark and inhospitable in certain places that only the vine and the olive tree can scratch an existence. The love of this arid terroir, where the drought seems more extreme than elsewhere, has induced owner Pierre Cros to preserve ancient parcels of Aramon , Piquepoul Noir , Alicante and Carignan alongside the more classic 'noble' varieties of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Les Aspres, a singlevarietal Syrah from low-yielding vines, an intense dark red wine that unleashes aromas of spices, coffee, confit red fruits and vanilla. The ensemble develops substantial structure and balance as the palate is supported by fine, full tannins. (12 x 75 cl)

Situated in Badens, a few kilometres from Carcassonne, the vineyards of Domaine Cros sit on the poorest of poor shallow stony argilo-calcaire soils so stark and inhospitable in certain places that only the vine and the olive tree can scratch an existence. The love of this arid terroir, where the drought seems more extreme than elsewhere, has induced owner Pierre Cros to preserve ancient parcels of Aramon , Piquepoul Noir , Alicante and Carignan alongside the more classic 'noble' varieties of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Minervois vieilles vignes is from vines nearly one hundred years old showing this wine is displaying great charater. (12 x 75 cl)

. (12 x 75 cl)

With old Carignan vines dating from 1905, this expressive and inviting red is rich & well-balanced, with big-bodied, dark fruit notes; the tannins are quite solid and it has well-integrated young oak flavours with a rich and chewy tail (12 x 75 cl)

A mix of Grenache Blanc and Vermentino, Picpoul & Muscat, this is richly aroma-ed, showing notes of apples/pears and fennel/aniseed, with a clean, slightly creamy flavour with good, fresh, quite zingy acidity; it finishes long and quite ethereal (12 x 75 cl)

Situated in Badens, a few kilometres from Carcassonne, the vineyards of Domaine Cros sit on the poorest of poor shallow stony argilo-calcaire soils so stark and inhospitable in certain places that only the vine and the olive tree can scratch an existence. The love of this arid terroir, where the drought seems more extreme than elsewhere, has induced owner Pierre Cros to preserve ancient parcels of Aramon , Piquepoul Noir , Alicante and Carignan alongside the more classic 'noble' varieties of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. The Minervois Blanc is lovely blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Muscat a Petit Grains and Piquepoul Blanc. Typically floral and resinous at the same time this white conjures dried apricots and plums sprinkled with garrigue notes of fennel and broom. (12 x 75 cl)

Marcillac is a tiny obscure appellation near Clairvaux in Aveyron comprising some eight growers. The wines here are made exclusively from the Mansois grape, otherwise known as Fer or Fer Servadou in Gaillac. Domaine du Cros makes two styles: a basic "tradition" or Lo Sang del Pais and the Vieilles Vignes from 50-80 year old vines. The wine spends 18 months in old oak casks and expresses myriad black fruits: myrtille, mure and cassis to name but several. The wines define the notion of gouleyant or gracia placendi, delicious wine so instantly appealing that when you unfurl your tongues the flavours slide silkily across the palate. (12 x 75 cl)

Marcillac is a tiny obscure appellation near Clairvaux in Aveyron comprising some eight growers. The wines here are made exclusively from the Mansois grape, otherwise known as Fer or Fer Servadou in Gaillac. Domaine du Cros makes two styles: a basic "tradition" or Lo Sang del Pais which is quite supple with juicy raspberry flavours underpinned by slate and gravel notes. Additionally there is a 'Cuvee Specialee' from 50-80 year old vines . (12 x 75 cl)