Calamiac Terroir Tempranillo 2021

Domaine Combe Blanche

The story of his life should read "teacher". But the call of the sun and the desire for something different were stronger than the rest, and Guy Vanlancker left rainy Belgium as soon as he had his diploma to establish his destiny in a superb vineyard in La Livinière, the first appellation village in the Languedoc (1999). Twelve hectares are under production, including eight in the AOC Minervois La Livinière and Minervois. His cellar, which lies right at the heart of the village, is surrounded by thick walls from old fortifications. With his son Ambroise, who now works with him, Guy Vanlancker has embarked upon an organic certification process for the vineyard (label expected for 2021).

Calamiac Terroir Tempranillo

Guy Vanlancker is one of those winegrowers who are particularly cherished for their audacity - an audacity that he does not then change by imposing unreasonable prices, quite the contrary. Not content with having planted Pinot Noir in the Languedoc (his famous Why Not? cuvée, which is one of our best-sellers), he has also tested the acclimatisation of a grape variety that is king of the Spanish vineyard, the Tempranillo, on stony, sloping, north-facing plots of land. This choice obliges him to confine himself to the Pays d'Hérault PGI even though his plots are located only 3 km north of the village of La Livinière.

The Tempranillo is vinified in a small vat where the winegrower still practises old-fashioned punching down of the cap for several weeks, and is then matured for 5 months in vats.

    Fairly dense garnet colour.

    Nose dominated by prune, with a hint of vanilla.

    Well-soaked character but with a round and fresh finish.

    A spicy Mediterranean cuisine will suit it perfectly. Red meats and game as well

   16-17 °C