David Lawrason’s Weekly Wine Pick: a well-priced grenache from the French Mediterranean
Les Hauts de Montfort 2009 Les Mégalithes Minervois
$13.95 | Languedoc, France | 90 points
Mediterranean France keeps on unearthing bargain gems, especially in the excellent 2009 vintage. This nifty but serious red based largely on old-vine grenache would not be out of line in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape tasting.
The taste: This savoury and suave young red delivers a lifted nose of licorice, pepper, violets and sweet cherry pie fruitiness, with a touch of hot stone earthiness and woodsiness. It’s medium-full, supple and surprisingly rich for the price. The licorice and fruit cling for excellent length; the texture is supple and rich.
How to drink it: The first trick is to buy more than one bottle. It’s very affordable and you’ll kick yourself if you don’t. It’s the kind of red to open casually around the barbecue. Chill it just a little and pour it around even before the main food event, then carry on with pork, chicken or beef.
