$35/bottle under the original label
A small limestone plateau in the heart of the Minervois with only 350 planted hectares, La Livinierie is the first cru-status appellation and known in the region as the Premier Cru of the Languedoc. One of the driving forces behind the appellation and largest landholders is the Ournac family of Chateau Cesseras (Domaine Coudoulet as well).
I was visiting and tasting with winemaker Camille Ournac last February when he admitted to me that a deal for a significant quantity of his 2017 La Liviniere bottling had blown up when COVID hit. If I could help him move the wine, he would give me a special price.
That's what I do brother, I told him.
The wine, a blend of 70% Syrah and 10% each of Carignan, Grenache and Mourvedre, was fresh as a daisy having been stored in a large oak foudre after 12-months in barrel. This wine has never been exported to the US but it would retail somewhere in the $35-$40 range, maybe $30 with a big discounter or direct import program. Decanter awarded a 90-point score the 2017 Chateau Cesseras La Liviniere.
If you thought Lot 239 GSM was a good deal, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Deep ruby, almost opaque in the glass. The effusive bouquet is nevertheless beautifully restrained with notes of violets, blackberry, raspberry, black olive and garrigue, leather, and coriander spice with praline notes. Focused and silky with a beautiful structure, the smooth layers of flavors mingle throughout, delicately supported by melted notes of wood. Concentrated on the mid-palate, rich and expressive with an exquisite freshness evolving into a long mineral finish with lingering fruit and spice. Fantastique!
100% La Livininiere
70% Syrah, 10% each of Carignan, Grenache and Mourvedre
12-months in oak barrel, 30% new French oak. 2 years in oak foudre.
14% alc.
400 cases available
