Château Rives-Blanques Limoux
Chardonnay du Domaine 2008 Vin de Pays d'Oc 15.5 Drink 2009
90% Chardonnay, 10% Chenin Blanc
Straightforward, clean, unoaked Chardonnay. Pretty basic but certainly nothing to object to and a little more concentrated than the Begude. Some low-temperature fermentation aromas. 13.5%
Cuvée Occitania 2008 Limoux Blanc 16.5 Drink 2009-12
100% Mauzac
Green tinge. Interesting, correct varietal expression with real verve on the finish. Apples and density and great balance. Really tastes relaxed and as though it belongs here. Good individuality. 13%
Cuvée Occitania 2005 Limoux Blanc 17 Drink 2006-10
100% Mauzac
Bravo! It has aged very convincingly - not unlike Chenin at this age. Dense, a bit toastier with a little bit more honey. This Mauzac character can certainly age in bottle. Really interesting. Their last bottle apparently... 13.5%
Dédicace 2008 Limoux Blanc 16 Drink 2009-11
100% Chenin Blanc
More floral than the Mauzac. Very good acidity though a bit more spindly than the Mauzac. And shorter. Sleek and polished though without quite the character of the Mauzac. 13%
Dédicace 2007 Limoux Blanc 16.5 Drink 2008-10
100% Chenin Blanc
It has gained a bit in depth with time in bottle but just a little less convincing than the Mauzac 2005, though younger of course. Very clean and well made, and seems rather more concentrated than the 2008. 13.5%
La Trilogie 2007 Limoux Blanc 16 Drink 2009-11
50% Chenin Blanc, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Mauzac
Interesting that the grapes are not listed in order of importance on the label, but Chardonnay is mentioned first. Amazingly, the Mauzac seems to dominate the nose, but perhaps that is just because it is the least familiar to me. Good balance, just off dry and quite tangy. I could imagine this with a good paté... That hint of sweetness needs something to offset it. 13%
Cuvée de l'Odyssée 2008 Limoux Blanc 15.5 Drink 2010-12
100% Chardonnay
High alcohol for Limoux! Slightly sweet and oaky and less distinctive than some, though well balanced. Very competent even if not desperately distinctive, though there is certainly better acidity in this than in most Chardonnays. 14%
Ch Rives-Blanques, Xaxa Vendange d'Hiver 2004 Vin de Table 16.5 Drink 2007-11
60% Mauzac, 40% Chenin Blanc. Latest harvest ever in the Aude Valley.
Smoky, tobacco, not luscious though certainly with a high sugar content but dry on the finish. This is surely for foie gras! Very toasty and clean and refreshing. 14%
