Guide Hachette — Paroles de vignerons - Vinparleur

Pierres Syrah Star shines again in the 2016 edition of the Guide Hachette

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

Pierre Cros settled on 25 ha of vineyards and as much olives, almond trees and truffle oaks. He is a great “winzer-artist”, a real benchmark in the Minervois, if you look look up how often we wrote about him and his wines in this guide during the last 10 years. He considers himself as a “peasant” and tells us that he learned to respect his clients from his father and grand-father, who both of them had been bakers in Badens. Besides classic grape varieties of the AOC, Pierre Cros keeps ancient, almost forgotten and even “non-beloved” (mal aimé) grape varieties (as for example the Aramon) and introduced new varieties from abroad.

The wine star of the estate shines again. This Syrah pampered and raised in barrels for one year like the previous vintages, shows its typical intense and warm scents of spices and black fruits, enhanced with notes of cedar and a touch of truffles. Roasted cocoa and mocha join in on the concentrated and mellow palate, while mild and spicy tannins emphasize an intense final, a true apotheosis. A bottle that will be perfect to appreciate young (served in a carafe), or left for years of ageing. (2016 - 2025)
Would you like some crispy #Champagne Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs ?

Permalink, by Champagne Paul Lebrun

The family estate, winegrowers for 10 generations, is located in the heart of the Côtes des Blancs. First champagne under their own label in 1902, today’s brand was created in 1931 by Paul Lebrun. His grandchildren, Nathalie and Jean Vignier are farming 16.5 hectares of Chardonnay in Cramant and Sézanne. (RM).

After having got some air, this Champagne, bottled as an Extra-Brut shows elegant floral aromas, grapefruit and pineapple. The freshness of the flavors show up again on the palate, accompanied by a medium-bodied structure without heaviness. Taste him between 2015 and 2020 on a carpaccio of scallops.

Tasting comment by Guide Hachette 2016
Three stars for both Les Aspres 2011 and Les Vieilles Vignes 2012 of Pierre Cros

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

Pierre Cros settled on 25 ha of vineyards and as much olives, almond trees and truffle oaks. He is a great “winzer-artist”, a real benchmark in the Minervois, if you look look up how often we wrote about him and his wines in this guide during the last 10 years. He considers himself as a “peasant” and tells usthat he learned to respect his clients from his father and grand-father,who both of them had been bakers in Badens. Besides classic grape varieties of the AOC, Pierre Cros keeps ancient, almost forgotten and even “non-beloved” (mal aimé) grape varieties (as for example the Aramon) and introduced new varieties from abroad.

Pierre Cros Syrah Les Aspres

The mythic cuvee of the winery (Les Aspres) stands atop the podium once again. Similar to previous vintages, the 2011 unifies intense, warm fragrances of ripe fruit, spices, cedar wood and eucalyptus. Toasty aromas and cocoa join the full-bodied, smooth and concentrated taste on the palate, underlined by elegant but tight tannins and delicate spices that lead the wine to an intense final. A true apotheosis!

Three stars also for the Vielles Vignes 2012: A centennial Carignan that spend a short time in oak barrels. Sweet spices, concentrated fruit, fine and supple.
The “Guide Hachette” loves #Champagne Paul Lebrun cuvee Prestige

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

Champagne Paul Lebrun Cramant

This cuvee partly fermented in oak barrels (20%). Slight lemon aromas and a lot of zest in the nose, perfectly balanced and fresh on the palate, this wine is still young it will light up over the next years. Savour from 2015 to 2020.

The estate was created in 1902 in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. Paul Lebrun started to make his own Champagne in 1931. Nowadays, his grandchildren, Nathalie and Jean Vignier, cultivate 16,5 hectares of Chardonnay around Cramant and Sézanne.
Les Aspres de Pierre Cros, a #Syrah with 8 top selections by the Guide Hachette

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

"Some will become jealous again... Three stars and the eighth “coup de cœur” ( the third in a row) for this great cuvee from Pierre Cros that bedazzled the jury again (in a blind tasting). The most envious will even get paler when they know that the remarkable “Vieilles Vignes 2011” did also very well during our “hunt for stars”.

“Les Aspres” are a masterpiece that makes us travel to eucalyptus and cedar woods, presenting warm and cooler fragrances in perfect harmony. On the palate, the first impression is of uncommon intensity and fullness, drenched with scents of ripe fruit and delicate vanilla. While the jurors described the wine as being creamy, soft and savoury, they also underlined its statuesque structure, carried by beautiful peppery tannins, that give an almost endless final to the wine…"

Guide Hachette 2014
#Champagner Paul Lebrun Extra-brut Blanc de blancs Rated with one star by the Guide Hachette 2014

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

Founded by Henri Lebrun in 1902, this Estate became its final name in 1931 from Henri’s son Paul. Today, the grand-children of Paul, Nathalie and Jean Vignier, take care of the 16,5 hectars of Chardonnay on the Côte des Blancs and in Sézanne. They are specialized in making blanc de blancs. This cuvee is partly fermented in oak wood and has been bottled as an Extra Brut (a very low dosage of only 4 g/l of residual sugar). After some delicate toasty aromas and smells of brioche, it reveals a savoury, medium-bodied, fresh taste on the palate, perfectly compatible with its bouquet.

A ripe Champagne, that matches very well to scallop or lobster on chicory.
Seventh „Coup de Cœur“ from the Guide Hachette for the leading cuvée of Domaine Pierre Cros

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel, Wine Press...

Seventh „Coup de Cœur“ fort he leading cuvée of the estate. As a “spiritual leader” of the Minervois, Pierre Cros belongs to those wine grower artists, that have found the Holy Grail in their vineyards and share their life’s work with us, by honouring our tables with their Devine brewage.

This 2009 provides aromas of black currant, vanilla, blackberry, pepper and cinnamon of exceptional intensity. Smooth and full-bodied, even sensual on the palate, this wine evolves towards an apotheosis of a nearly endless final.
Pierre Cros Syrah “Les Aspres” 2008 - Again highest reward of Guide Hachette

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel, Wine Press...

Three stars and the sixth “Coup de Cœur” (translate like “favourite”) for the grande cuvée of the estate (100% Syrah), that should nevertheless not outshine the red Pierre-Henry 2009 (100% Grenache), a wink to the owner’s son.

Unanimous decision: This wine has a powerful bouquet in which garrigue, pepper, sour cherry, cacao and liquorish collude. Smooth and sensuous, generous flavours with a sublime finish. A true celebration of taste!