During the last week I got a chance to visit three estates in the Southwest of France. The Chateau de Mercues 2001 had a strong cedar finish and green berry taste. Barrel sample of 2003 really rough and cedar very almost medicinal I know this was supposed to be a treat but not to my taste .
I was not interested in buying, but at Haut Serre, also owned by Georges Vigouroux, we were given 2 bottles ;)
Haut Serre was actually the better of the two for my tastes a bit mellower less strong cedar (still the somewhat harsh medicinal smell, taste) and though Georges usedthe word elegant to describe Chateau de Mercues, Haut Serre was definitely the one which aspired to the term.
Wine stop at Chateau Rennaudie Pecharment aoc very nice elegant wines with good balance. We tasted 2 vintages (unflortunately was on the bus and gone before I could write down impressions, but I bought a bottle of
2002 as it was impressive enough to take home.Haut veyrac 4 wines
2001 very fruit graceful but delicate will age like 1996 according to vintner1997 chene many thought this very good but I couldn't get by the oak.vinter acknowledged more oak to enhance the wine as not as good fruit.
1996 2001 but mature very concentrated "I have been to church!"2000 "the wine to keep" (as per the owner) for several years also displayed great color and fruits, a bit young but nice softening finish.
The three wineries, well technically 4, displayed a progression that was probably fate but worked well from big operation with wealthy corporate style ownership, professional and proud but without obvious passion to a passionate novice with a beautiful farm and good well crafted wines to family farm of 5 generations where tradition and family pride ruled (refering to the 96, "ah yes, that was my father's wine" for example)