INSIDER'S PICK: 2022 LA CLOSERIE DES LYS PINOT NOIR PAYS d'OC $19.99

The region of Limoux in the Languedoc has a long history of making fine wines, but primarily in the sparkling wine genre. As far back as the 1500s the regional monastic orders were developing a better sparkling wine methodology using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the local Mauzac grape (before that Perignon fella refined it in what is now known as the Champagne region). Bubbles still reign supreme here, but the still wines are gaining note for great values that show much higher quality potential than the rest of the high volume Languedoc production. The cooling effects from the Pyrenees mountains into the Aude Valley (which is closer to Andorra than the Mediterranean Coast) gives the grapes a brighter structure, more natural acidity, and reigns in the alcohol to allow the wines a more Burgundian profile if preferred. Slightly smokey dark cherry and raspberry aromas with lots of herbal notes at first, getting redder fruits and more floral as it opens. The palate is very Burgundian with lots of tart red cherry and fine dusty tannins, lighter in weight but does get a little bit of extra fruit heft over time. This won't replace any 1er Cru wines on the shelf, but delivers basic Bourgogne level pleasures at a fraction of the price. ​

---