Vintage available 2020
Syrah (60%), Cabernet Franc (40%)
From plots La Vigne Longue, La Plage, La Capitelle, and Amphithéâtre
Vent d’Est comes from parcels of old Syrah and Cabernet Franc facing east. Its originality is expressed by aromas of pepper, red fruit, olive, licorice and truffle, and on the palate, by a tension between velvety structure and intense freshness. A singular experience! This cuvée, created in 1995, is renowned by tasters for its unique aromatic profile and great consistency across vintages. Excellent from 3 years. Recommended aging 8-15 years.
Languedoc-Roussillon 2023 Special Report, Matthew Stubbs & Tim Atkins (95/100) Some blackcurrant and bramble from the Cabernet Franc but it is the Syrah that ultimately dominates. Perfumed, with dark plum, tapenade, and a garrigue-scented finish of rosemary, lavender and thyme. Very fine tannins, high acid and a long chalky finish. Owner Nicolas Carayol, when asked to sum up what his wines are all about, said ‘energy’. This wine has it in spades.
Guide de la Revue du Vin de France 2024 (92/100) : Notes de tapenade et de poivre pour Vent d’Est, marqueurs d’une syrah florale et fraiche. Le 2019 un vin complexe et suave.
Guide de la Revue du Vin de France, 2023 (91/100) : Vent d’Est is already open, with notes of tapenade, pepper and wild blackberry, a velvety structure and a lovely freshness.
Magazine Terre de Vins, 2021 (18/20 & coup de cœur) : The bouquet of blackberries, bilberries, fresh truffles and Tonka beans is totally addictive. The velvety colour is already appealing, with Syrah and Cabernet-Franc competing in concentration, but the balance is majestic. You discover it after the frank, almost crunchy attack, followed by a fresh palate, evoking citrus zest and freshly ground pepper. Full-bodied, caressing, bursting with flavour, we recommend decanting, but even without decanting it reveals itself to be exuberant. The estate, on the southern slopes of the Montagne Noire, the flagship of the appellation, lives up to its reputation: a great wine that is a pleasure to drink! (dishes) Truffade and many other possibilities.
Guide de la Revue du Vin de France: distinguished since 2010.
Guide Hachette: distinguished since 2000 by many “coups de cœur” and top ratings ***/***
“The perfect expression of the marriage between Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, La Dérive had tasters spellbound from start to finish. Intense, deep color; complex nose of black fruits and garrigue with a hint of oriental spices; equally complex, dense palate, carried by melting tannins that are easy to forget. A caressing, perfectly balanced wine.” (Guide Hachette 2017).
