Hecht & Bannier, Languedoc (France) 2011

The Languedoc, an enormous swath of vineyards in the sunny South of France extending west from the Rhone River to the Spanish border, is a minefield for wine.  The wines range from unique and wonderful to astringent and dilute.  With literally thousands of small growers and producers, it takes a lot of work to find the rewarding ones.  That’s why the appearance of Hecht & Bannier, a top-notch négociant specializing in the area, is so welcome.  Their name assures you of a satisfying wine reflective of the appellation, be it a large one, such as this one, the Languedoc, or a small one, such as Minervois.  Not overdone or manipulated, the Hecht & Bannier Languedoc delivers the requisite fruit and spice, unencumbered by wood aging, you’d expect from the customary blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan.   But what makes this wine unique is a charm that reflects what must be the blending talents of Hecht & Bannier.  It’s another good choice for the grilled meats or robust pasta dishes.