Minervois is one of the best known appellations in the south of France, and traditionally home to great value red wines that combine attractive dark fruit flavours with robust structure and rustic charm. In the heart of the region is the sub-zone (and fully fledged appellation in its own right) of Minervois-la-Lavinière, where the steep slopes and clay limestone soils provide optimal conditions for cultivating Grenache, Syrah and Carignan.
This area is home to Château Mignan, an organically farmed 12 hectare estate that has vines in both Minervois appellations and has established an enviable reputation for producing wines that are elegant and perfectly balanced while retaining much of their rustic personality. Locally, it is the wines from la Lavinière that steal all the plaudits, but their vines in the wider Minervois appellation are immediately adjacent to the more prestigious parcels. These plots benefit from much of the same terroir but the wines are treated with a gentler hand in the winery, where more gentle extraction and the older oak barrels are used in the vinification of the regular Minervois cuvée. This results in a delicious wine that is fresh and bright, with lovely pure dark fruit and savoury and meaty notes that are reminiscent of herb-crusted lamb being pulled from the oven. There is no hint of confection on this Syrah / Grenache blend, aged for a few month in French oak barrels, and it is perfect to drink on its own or even better with grilled red meat.
