WTN:2001 Château de Lancyre, Pic St. Loup

2001 Château de Lancyre, Coteaux du Languedoc, Pic St. Loup, Grande Cuvée - France, (4/4/2008)

Very deep opaque purple up to the rim. Very full nose with ripe berries and red fruit, chocolate and hint of tobacco. A long , deep full mouthful with some variation over a lengthy and lingering taste. A great companion with a lamb stew, I would definitely buy more if it were available. This wine held up well overnight and into the next day.

Simon

Welcome Simon.

I have bought this wine a couple of times over the years. For a while, the LCBO here in Ontario was featuring it regularly, but I haven't seen it in a while. A shame. As you note, it is quite a nice wine at, I seem to recall, a fairly nice price.

Hello Bruce,
I just came back from the SAQ with two bottles of the 2002, which was not a wonderful year in the languedoc, but my curiosity is now piqued by the 2001. I paid $25 per bottle, which, if it is anything like the 2001, is well worth it. I will be curious to see what they do with the 2003, given that it was a real scorcher.

Simon

Thanks for your TN. I've frequently enjoyed the VV bottling from Lancyre - do you know how the Grand Cuvee differs? Your post reminded me that I should pick some up, but I haven't seen it in any of my usual shops lately.

Just [attempted to] buy the 2003 Grand Cuvee in Ontario.
Priced at $27 - but they imported so little that it was 'arbitrarily' restricted to 2 bottles per person.
So, eventually, 2 bottles will be delivered to my local Government outlet.

Just [attempted to] buy the 2003 Grand Cuvee in Ontario.
Priced at $27

Alan,

I went on the LCBO website to see if I could find any info on the bottle and it wasn't even listed! Do you have any idea what the alcohol % is on the 2003?
Thanks,
Simon

Welcome Simon.

I have bought this wine a couple of times over the years. For a while, the LCBO here in Ontario was featuring it regularly, but I haven't seen it in a while. A shame. As you note, it is quite a nice wine at, I seem to recall, a fairly nice price.

For the record, now that I think about it, I believe it was the VV I used to buy, not the Grand Cuvee.

Thanks for your TN. I've frequently enjoyed the VV bottling from Lancyre - do you know how the Grand Cuvee differs? Your post reminded me that I should pick some up, but I haven't seen it in any of my usual shops lately.

Joe,

The GC has a bit more syrah and less grenache in it than the VV, plus it has a bit of Mourvedre. IMO this is one of if not THE BEST estates in Pic St. Loup. I have long been a fan of the Lancyre wines and have stated that here many times. With summer coming on I would suggest buying their Rosé and the rousanne from Lancyre.as well. The first red wine listed below used to be called something else, though I don't remember what. The second I am not familiar with at all, I do believe they no longer use the name La Rouvier for wines imported into the states and just list the rousanne on the bottle. I have never had the Grande Cuvee white, though I would love to sample it. Below is the cepage of each wine including percentages.In my area the VV has been about $16 per while the GC was $20. The 2005 of the Rosé I drank maybe 2 cases of as I found it at a great bargain of $6.99 minus a 5% discount. The 2006 rosé I just got a case of at $12.99 minus that same 5%. I also picked up 6 of the Rousanne at $15 but have not tasted it. The 2006 of that wine is the first I have seen since the 2002 which was a weak vintage.

"La Coste d'Aleyrac" 45% Syrah, 45%Grenache, 10%Carignan

"Clos des Combes" 50% Syrah, 50% Grenache

"Vieilles Vignes" 65% Syrah, 35% Grenache

"Grande Cuvée" 75 % Syrah, 15 % Grenache, 10 % Mourvèdre

"Rosé" 40 % Syrah, 60 % Grenache

"La Rouvière" 90% Roussane, 10% Marsanne

"Grande Cuvée" 80% Roussane,20% Marsanne

I went on the LCBO website to see if I could find any info on the bottle and it wasn't even listed! Do you have any idea what the alcohol % is on the 2003?
Thanks,
Simon

Alcohol not given. Link:

http://www.vintages.com/classics/1/france_m.html#swest

Just [attempted to] buy the 2003 Grand Cuvee in Ontario.
Priced at $27 - but they imported so little that it was 'arbitrarily' restricted to 2 bottles per person.
So, eventually, 2 bottles will be delivered to my local Government outlet.

Alan, the GC here has risen from $20 to about $25 per 750ml, but IMO that is still a fair price. When we know for sure there will be a Mo'Cool 2008 (and I am fairly sure there will be) I would be amenable to picking up a few and bring them to Michigan and pass them to you. Any chance that a statement that they are gifts would get you through customs unscathed?

Thanks for the offer Bob,
It's easier bringing firearms into Canada than wine (and the penalties may be less if caught).
I'll make do with my 2 bottles here.
After last Mocool (the extra-curricular version), I crossed back without Catherine (she flew with only carry-on bag). I tried to claim 'her allowance too' (can bring back 2 bottles pp - except no liquid allowed in carry-on) - so I brought 3 bottles (which I declared).
They pulled me over; gave me a lecture; but eventually 'allowed' me to bring in the third bottle as a '1-time exemption' - and told me not to do it again!
Last time I tried the 'gift' strategy they looked the wine up on the internet and charged me full duties on the price they found on-line! It wa a 'pay it or we confiscate' ultimatum.
Incidentally I'm not 'flagged' in any way - got a friendly person with access to check on my status. They just treat all our citizens that way. I know others who've received similar treatment.
Rant suspended!

Bob H and I seem to share a love of many wines so guess what I found today. First here is Bob`s quote....>

I have long been a fan of the Lancyre wines and have stated that here many times. With summer coming on I would suggest buying their Rosé and the rousanne from Lancyre.as well. The first red wine listed below used to be called something else, though I don't remember what. The second I am not familiar with at all, I do believe they no longer use the name La Rouvier for wines imported into the states and just list the rousanne on the bottle.

Well, am I lucky or what?! Just picked up the `06 La Rouviere as well as the `05 VV Pic St Loup. Both under $25 Cdn.
I also saw the Rose on the shelf.

Bob H and I seem to share a love of many wines so guess what I found today. First here is Bob`s quote....>

I have long been a fan of the Lancyre wines and have stated that here many times. With summer coming on I would suggest buying their Rosé and the rousanne from Lancyre.as well. The first red wine listed below used to be called something else, though I don't remember what. The second I am not familiar with at all, I do believe they no longer use the name La Rouvier for wines imported into the states and just list the rousanne on the bottle.

Well, am I lucky or what?! Just picked up the `06 La Rouviere as well as the `05 VV Pic St Loup. Both under $25 Cdn.
I also saw the Rose on the shelf.

Bob, Hie thee back and get the Rose, it IS that good. I have about a case of the 05/06 (mix) and am waiting for the 07 to arrive. My local Big Ass Wine Store (BAWS) has the rose and over priced it at $16.99 but I picked some more up in Northern Ky at $12.99. I might just have them set me back another half case too. How much was the Rose there> Cdn and USD aren't that far apart these days so it gives me a better idea of the costs elsewhere. I have the 1006 La Rouviere too, but haven't popped one yet. It being about 90% rousanne it will age pretty well. I had a bottle of 2002 Tahbilk marsanne a couple days back, and if I assigned numbers, I would say about 91 points.

Rose, around $19 I believe.
Still knocking back the Tahbilk? Say it isn`t so!!! What a lush you are BobH.

Rose, around $19 I believe.
Still knocking back the Tahbilk? Say it isn`t so!!! What a lush you are BobH.

Bob, I an trying to negotiate a good price on a couple more cases of the Marsanne, plus a couple of the regular shiraz. AND, maybe some of the 94 Reserve cabernet. We shall see how it goes, and at what price. Yes, one could say that I am a Tahbilk slut!

One word for this wine. Yum!

One word for this wine. Yum!

Geo, where are you getting the 2001? And, is it the vv or the Grande Cuvee? I have some 98-00 of both, but am not sure I ever saw the 01 in my neck of the woods. Also, have you any of the recent releases from Left Foot Charley? I just had a 2006 of LFC dry riesling, and it is KILLER!

Bob H, have the Rose ready to go.

http://www.chateaudelancyre.com/

Thanks for your TN. I've frequently enjoyed the VV bottling from Lancyre - do you know how the Grand Cuvee differs? Your post reminded me that I should pick some up, but I haven't seen it in any of my usual shops lately.

Joe, the VV is 65% syrah and 35% grenache, and the GC is 75%syrah, 15% grenache, and 10% mourvedre. In addition I can go on record as to recommending the rousanne, and the rosé. In fact I am having a glass of the rosé as I type this.

Bob H, have the Rose ready to go.
http://www.chateaudelancyre.com/

Bob, I opened a bottle of the 2006 rosé yesterday, so I know you are going to enjoy this one. Bone dry, strawberries, and a hint of raspberry. nice long finish too (for a rosé at least). Enjoy! And, if you run across the Lancyre white, get some of that too. The white is 90% rousanne with 10% viognier.

WTN: `06 Chateau de Lancyre Rose, Pic Ste-Loup.

40% Syrah, 60% Grenache. Synthetic cork, 13.5% alc, close to $20 Cdn.
Opened for an hour, left half bottle for evolvement overnight.

Color. Medium rose, watery rim.

Nose. Strawberry sauce on waffles, hint of mineral/gravel. Quite appealing I`d say.

Palate. Initial entry thoughts are not too dry, not too sweet! Good acidity, cherry and strawberry dominate. I like the grenache spice here, mineral influence on finish. Here is some raspberry as it warms and has an almost creamy feel about it. I like this very much, will buy more. Thanks to Bob H for the heads-up!! Now if I can find that white eh?

_________________

Opps, problem here. Found the La Rouviere Blanc. (Ignore my email Bob H, I went to their website)

It appears the white blend USED to be 50/50 in the late `90s.