Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge

Saint-Drézéry, AOP Languedoc

After a cold and wet winter and a very wet spring, we had three weeks of rain in June.  This allowed the water reserves to recharge but it also resulted in a proliferation of late blight.  Fortunately for Puech Haut we were protected against the strong attacks of mildew.  This vintage will therefore be remembered for the extreme quality of the grapes harvested thanks to a very hot summer punctuated with regular rainfall, limited and short, a dry air and favorable temperatures with marked differences between day and night. This favorable climatic context made it possible to harvest grapes at their optimum maturity in most plots.  2018 has all the characteristics of a beautiful vintage in Languedoc.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet color with notes of cherry and blackberries on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with dark fruits and chocolate and enveloped in a delicious finish with silky tannins.

After a cold and wet winter and a very wet spring, we had three weeks of rain in June.  This allowed the water reserves to recharge but it also resulted in a proliferation of late blight.  Fortunately for Puech Haut we were protected against the strong attacks of mildew.  This vintage will therefore be remembered for the extreme quality of the grapes harvested thanks to a very hot summer punctuated with regular rainfall, limited and short, a dry air and favorable temperatures with marked differences between day and night. This favorable climatic context made it possible to harvest grapes at their optimum maturity in most plots.  2018 has all the characteristics of a beautiful vintage in Languedoc.

The grapes came into the winery very early in the morning (2 to 8 AM) and maceration in concrete tanks last 5 weeks for the syrah and 3.5 weeks for the grenache.  Vinification is made in concrete tank as well.  25% of the syrah is aged in 228 liters barrels coming from Burgundy oak forests.  Medium toasts or medium +

20 km North East from Montpellier, Puech Haut’ soils spread out on 250 ha between 50 and 150 m height This terroir made of round pebbles on top of a 4 meters clay layer has a Mediterranean climate

Grape Variety - 60% Grenach, 40% Syrah 61 Meq/L Total acidity; 3.77 pH ABV: 14,38% Sugar < 1 Production: 17 000 cases

The 2017 vintage was very difficult with frost and a spring heat wave followed by a dry summer.  The Languedoc has not been spared by the bad weather this year, and the harvest were two weeks ahead on average, with quantities falling sharply (lowest harvest of the last 15 years) but a quality to the rendez-vous.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet color, nose with notes of raspberry, black pepper and undergrowth. The palate is full, complex with aromas of garrigues. Slight woody touch in the final.

The 2017 vintage was very difficult with frost and a spring heat wave followed by a dry summer.  The Languedoc has not been spared by the bad weather this year, and the harvest were two weeks ahead on average, with quantities falling sharply (lowest harvest of the last 15 years) but a quality to the rendez-vous.

The grapes came into the winery very early in the morning (2 to 8 AM) and maceration in concrete tanks last 5 weeks for the syrah and 3.5 weeks for the grenache.  Vinification is made in concrete tank as well.  25% of the syrah is aged in 228 liters barrels coming from Burgundy oak forests.  Medium toasts or medium +

Grape Variety - 60% Grenach, 40% Syrah 61 Meq/L Total acidity; 3.77 pH ABV: 14,38% Sugar < 1 Production: 17 000 cases

Two phenomena have particularly disoriented the winegrowers of Languedoc Roussillon this year. Autumn 2015 and winter 2016 were exceptionally dry with rainfall totals between 1st November 2015 and 1st March 2016 were around 100 mm only.  But in the same time winegrowers saw mild temperatures throughout the Languedoc.  Temperatures were 2.6˚ C higher than seasonal norms (hottest winters since 1990 in France).  Harvests have been delayed by 10 days due to the hot summer temperatures coupled with a moderate water deficit.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet color, nose with notes of raspberry, black pepper and undergrowth. The palate is full, complex with aromas of garrigues. Slight woody touch in the final.

The 2017 vintage was very difficult with frost and a spring heat wave followed by a dry summer.  The Languedoc has not been spared by the bad weather this year, and the harvest were two weeks ahead on average, with quantities falling sharply (lowest harvest of the last 15 years) but a quality to the rendez-vous.

The grapes came into the winery very early in the morning (2 to 8 AM) and maceration in concrete tanks last 5 weeks for the syrah and 3,5 weeks for the grenache. Vinification is made in concrete tank as well. 25% of the syrah is aged in 228 liters barrels coming from Burgundy oak forests. Medium toast or medium +

Grape Variety - 60% Grenach, 40% Syrah 61 Meq/L Total acidity; 3.77 pH ABV: 14,5% Sugar < 1 Production: 17 000 cases

  • 2022-09-12

    89

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, September 2022

    ""

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  • 2022-03-31

    88

    points

    Wine Spectator, March 2022

    "Bright and balanced, this medium-bodied red offers notes of black cherry, dried thyme and a rich hint of fig cake layered with light, snappy tannins. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now. — AN"

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  • 2020-08-29

    91

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, August 2020

    "Based on Syrah and Grenache brought up mostly in concrete tanks, the 2018 Languedoc Prestige comes from older vines and limestone soils not far from the Pic Saint Loup appellation in the Languedoc. Incredibly consistent, it sports a deep purple hue as well as a ripe, sexy bouquet of both red and black fruits intermixed with lots of spice, chocolate, and earthy, peppery nuances. Beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, with a pure, velvety mouthfeel and a great finish, it's going to evolve for a solid 3-5 years, possibly even a decade, although there's no need to delay gratification, as it's beautiful today."

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  • 2020-06-30

    89

    points

    Wine Advocate, June 2020

    "The mainly tank-aged 2018 Languedoc Prestige is a blend of Syrah and Grenache. Possessing more depth and structure than the Argali bottling, it offers scents of cherries and blackberries on the nose, followed by flavors of dark fruit and chocolate and a medium to full-bodied palate lined with silky tannins. There's just enough grip to support 3-4 years of aging."

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  • 2022-01-01

    88

    points

    Wine Spectator, January 2022

    "Meaty undertones mark the dried red berry, white pepper and garrigue elements of this taut red. Shows details of hot stone on the finish. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2024. 22,200 cases made, 6,800 cases imported."

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  • 2019-05-31

    90

    points

    Wine Advocate, May 2019

    "The entry-level red is the 2017 Languedoc Saint Drezery Prestige, a blend of Syrah and Grenache, aged mainly in tank. It's a ripe, soft, fruity wine, powered by plums and accented by gentle cola and spice notes. Drink this lush, medium to full-bodied red over the next several years."

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  • 2019-04-03

    93

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, April 2019

    "Ripe, meaty black cherries, black olives, pepper, and garrigue notes all emerge from the 2017 Prestige, which is a tank-aged blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Syrah sourced from the Saint Drézéry region of the Languedoc. Deep, full-bodied, and downright sexy, it’s loaded with fruit, has sweet tannins, and terrific purity of fruit as well as character. Drink it any time over the coming 7-8 years."

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  • 2019-04-03

    93

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, April 2019

    "Ripe, meaty black cherries, black olives, pepper, and garrigue notes all emerge from the 2017 Prestige, which is a tank-aged blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Syrah sourced from the Saint Drézéry region of the Languedoc. Deep, full-bodied, and downright sexy, it’s loaded with fruit, has sweet tannins, and terrific purity of fruit as well as character. Drink it any time over the coming 7-8 years."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge – Bottle – 2018 & After

2018 Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge – Vintage Notes

2017 Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge – Sell Sheet – 90 pts, Wine Advocate

2017 Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge – Vintage Notes

2016 Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge – Vintage Notes

Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge – Label

Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge – Bottle – 2016 & before