Les Boissieres Rouge Alain Chabanon 2012

Les Boissieres Rouge Alain Chabanon 2012, biodynamic, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, long maceration with skins, ripe, full yet supremely elegant, one of the most classically beautiful Languedoc reds we have tried. When you would a red for grilled meats and you want to imagine sitting in the sun of the South of France overlooking the mountains, vines and listening to the cicadas, this is the wine for you. Stunning layers of depth, freshness, red fruits, firm tannins, subtle herbs and spices and southern warmth, could easily drink a Magnum to yourself.

Alain Chabanon is one of handful of pioneering Languedoc producers who set out in the late 80s to lift the region out of the doldrums and realise the amazing potential for quality.

He wanted old vines, great terroir and natural production and chose the region of Montpeyroux just below Larzac’s stone plateau to start his project 'Man is not all-powerful. Biodynamics opens our eyes and invites us to look at what is happening in the world around us and to understand the delicate alchemy of nature to produce outstanding wines.' He was certified Biodynamic in 2011 and like Nicolas Joly believes that biodynamic is 100% or nothing. Even organic treatments – they are avoided as they are unnecessary. Chabanon believes that the vines must find their nutrition from the soils themselves, even if only a small yield can be produced. Dung compost is used, and a homeopathic dose of silica is added to the water before it is filtered and sprayed onto crops. Sadly, the Languedoc doesn't seem to demand the same lofty reputation as some other regions of France, possibly because of chequered history of large scale cooperative wineries, chemical use and poor quality wines sold in plastic footballs. This is such as shame and the great wines from the area are without doubt some of the best in France. They also have the incredible ability as great wine has to transport the drinker to the place, you sense the garrigue, you taste the herbs and almost feel the warmth on your face. Chabanon's wines do this perhaps more than any others we have from the Languedoc. They need time and we recommend for those to cellar wine to drink both reds and whites at 8-10 years old.