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Domaine de Ravanès, Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Murviel
Guy and Marc Benin
Guy and Marc Benin have their family domaine to the north of Pézenas, in the Coteaux du Murviel region. Marc studied as an Ingenier Agricole, and loves to experiment with different varieties, principally those of Bordeaux. Their Petit Verdot is one of the most original and most stunning wines we have ever tasted. It is almost unbearably spicy, and has inspired several local vignerons to plant the variety.
The Gravières du Taurou is from a parcelle of old Merlot vines, and produces a rich, ripe concentrated chewy plummy ripe wine. The wine is aged in one year old barriques from Pauillac. Big and broad, with notes of pepper and spice, and an elegant touch of fine mineral fruit. The 2000 is more florid and more forward at present than the 1999, which will probably turn out to be the finer vintage in the long run, but is more closed at present, with notes of chocolate; long and very intense.
The Prim’ Verd is the Petit Verdot mentioned above; only produced in the best vintages, this is a highly distinctive and unusual wine, with spicy leather and black cherry fruit, scents of violets, tar and leather, and balanced by firm acidity, with excellent structure and length. The 1999 needs another two to three years minimum to start to show its true potential.
The 1997 Diogène is a blend of 70% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and about 20% Petit Verdot. It is aged for around 30 months in new Bordeaux barriques. It has ripe minty blackcurrant fruit, leathery spice tones, and is big, mouthwatering, and with a less exaggerated spicy cherry fruit than the Prim’ Verd. The
Cinq Seaux d’Oeillade is an amusing oddity. From a parcelle of old Cinsault affected with Court Noué, and hence with very low yields, the grapes were picked at the end of October, and macerated for two days on their skins. The fermentation stopped naturally at 14 degrees, leaving about 7 degrees of sweetness. This is a juicy fruit juice concoction, with gooseberry and raspberry fruit flavours, delicious as an aperitif, or with cheese, or maybe fresh fruits, or even on its own.
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