Jeff Carrel & The Languedoc
By David Keck
In 1991, Jeff Carrel, a Parisian chemist, decided that it was time for a life change, and moved to Montpellier ( France… with two ‘L’s) to study oenology. Since graduating in 1994, he has worked and consulted in Bordeaux, Alsace, the Loire Valley, Beaujolais, and many others, as well as the region in which he now focuses most of his energy: the Languedoc.
The Languedoc is a large and diverse region in the South of France that has much in common with the Rhône valley with regard to grape varieties, but is still the Wild West with respect to the winemaking, regional differences, and its place on the global wine scene. Jeff Carrel capitalizes on the fact that much planted vineyard land is still underpriced in a huge way, and produces wines from very old vines in a robust, spicy, and clean style that conveys the spirit of the place.
LES DARONS GRENACHE BLEND 2018
Les Darons, or ‘The Parents’ in the Parisian dialect of Carrel’s birthplace, is an homage to the forefather wines of the region. What we love about this wine is its ability to demonstrate ripe, beautiful fruit in a wine that is in no way covered by oak or manipulation. Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from old vines in some of the top appellations of the Languedoc (La Clape, Minervois, etc.), co-fermented in concrete, this wine is a great food wine, but also perfect by itself on a wintery evening in Vermont.
VILLA DES ANGES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017
And a new addition to the Shepherd Flocc is the Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon! These sustainably farmed Cabernet vines are planted in the village of Capestang at the Espitalet des Anges domaine owned by Jaqueline Menard de Ginestous. Just north of the village of Beziers on an ancient Roman property, the Cabernet is still a relatively new planting at 15 years of age. A third of the wine sees some oak, but it’s not a dominant feature. Fresh, with classic Cabernet aromas of roasted red peppers, tobacco and black currants. A perfect wine for that mid-week slow-cooker braised beef dish.