By way of background, opening thoughts: Languedoc is a somewhat lesser-known region of France, but creating some interesting wines, reds especially. Here is a real value-priced offering from the region.Original tasting and review. August, 2011: This is Cave de Roquebon Chemin des Olivettes, Coteaux du Languedoc, France, 2009, finished at 13.% alcohol, quite shy by many of today's red wine standards.
In the glass: Chemin des Olivettes is deep magenta in the glass, not quite opaque anywhere, but showing some raw purple glints at the edge. This blend is made up of 35% carignan, 30% grenache, 20% syrah and 15% mourvedre.
On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows balanced, deep fruit, slightly beefy, slightly old world and gritty. From the aroma, seems like this will be balanced and food-worthy.
On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact a purple-toned, medium-weight mid-palate experience, yielding very dry red currants and some supporting tannins and acids. Finish offers dry plum and is completely clean, but is not lengthy.
In summary: Overall, rates two stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, but earns a plus because I believe it will grow in stature with some air or some time in bottle.
Following long decant, four hours at room temperature in flat bottomed decanter: More aromatic deep fruit on the nose. The red fruit is just starting to open up on the palate now, showing a dry, charcoal streak. More time may loosen this up even more. And even longer decant, several days at room temperature in partially filled bottle: Sweet, intriguing red meat on the nose now. Remains dark on the palate, with a whisker more of fruit. In the category of "taking one for the team", I am going to try an additional entire week in cool room temperature in a partially filled bottle to see what happens. Somehow this wine does seem to want to come out and play...Following a crazy long decant, another week at room temperature in partially filled bottle: Wild meaty fruit funk on the nose. Wonderful or horrible - I can't quite tell which. The rich fruit is now actually turning to rich wine vinegar - not oxidized, but actually vinegary. Reminder to self: stop "taking one for the team"!!
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Updated review, over a year later, September, 2012: Still deep magenta in the glass, with a classic but shy aroma. Red currants remain on the palate, but the fruit is more prominent now. Creates a nice balanced, mid-red blend. Moving this up to three stars with its three years in the bottle since vintage date. Becomes a best value because of its bargain price.
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