What I Learned
The Appellation d’Origine Controlee (AOC) Corbieres, is a relatively large area between Perpignan and Narbonne, west almost to Carcassonne. It is in the southwestern region of France known as Languedoc-Rousillon. Corbieres is large enough to merit division into eleven separate terroirs, or areas, one of which is Queribus. (Queribus is the name of a famous Cathar castle, in southern (Hautes) Corbieres, overlooking the towns within the terroir.) The appellation Corbieres-Queribus contains the following towns: Cucugnan, Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse, and Padern. The red wines from Corbieres-Queribus (most of the appellation’s production) derive from the red varietals of Carignan, Grenache, Cinsault, Mouvedre and Syrah; while the whites wines come from Bourboulenc (aka Malvoisie), Marsanne, Muscat, Maccabeu, and Piquepoul.
Most of the grapes are vinified then blended, resulting in intense cuvees. Most of the red wines spend time in oak, which helps to mellow the tannins. Most of these wines also benefit from aging.
What I Tasted
2016 Blanc, Equinoxe; AOP Corbieres, Domaine du Grand Arc: A dry white wine cuvee with light plus straw gold color; lemon and grass nose, with grass and slight citrus flavors; medium acidity.
2016 Blanc, Terroirs du Vertige: Indication Geographique Protegee (Pays de Cucugnan), Terroirs du Vertige: A dry white wine cuvee with medium minus gold color; nose of straw and grass, minerality, melon and vanilla flavors; high acidity.
2016 Rose, La Tour Fabienne, AOP Corbieres, Domaine du Grand Arc: A dry rose wine cuvee (Syrah (50%), Cinsault, Mourvedre, Grenache Noir, Carignan), with a light ruby pink color; red cherry and berry nose, with berry vanilla and spice flavors; medium minus tannins.
2015 Blanc, AOP Corbieres de Cucugnan, Chateau Trillol: A dry white wine (Grenache Blanc) with medium gold color; grass and lemon nose, fruity flavors; medium acidity with a tart finish.
2015 Pays d’Oc Merlot, Premieres Amours, Indication Geographique Protegee (Cucugnan), Les Vingt Citadelles: A dry red wine with dark garnet color; red cherry and vanilla nose with cherry, red berry and vanilla flavors, high tannins.
2013 Rouge, AOP Corbieres de Cucugnan, Chateau Trillol: A dry red wine cuvee with medium garnet color; with slight red fruits nose and flavors, medium tannins.