La Terrasse d'Elise - Les Hauts de Carol's 2023
La Terrasse d'Élise is one of the most sought-after estates in Languedoc, led by Xavier Braujou, a winemaker based in Hérault and recognized for his very personal interpretation of southern grape varieties. Since the estate's creation in 1998, his work has been built around precise cuvées, often single-varietal, aiming to reveal finesse rather than power. The wines are generally labeled as IGP Pays d'Hérault, which allows great freedom of expression while maintaining a strong connection to the terroirs of Aniane and its surroundings. Les Hauts de Carol's holds an important place in this range, as this cuvée highlights Cinsault in an ambitious and patient expression. Far from the image of a grape variety that is only light or secondary, Xavier Braujou offers here a deep, silky, and refined interpretation. The 2023 vintage stands out for its affirmed maturity, but the balance is maintained by freshness, delicate fruit, and precise aging. La Terrasse d'Élise Les Hauts de Carol's 2023 thus presents itself as a great fine Languedoc red, rare and highly sought after.
The Les Hauts de Carol's 2023 cuvée is made from 100% Cinsault, coming from old vines, some of which are indicated as being over 50 years old. The limestone and marl soils provide the wine with a fresh framework, good structure, and a more nuanced expression than simply fruity. The harvest is done manually, with a precise and attentive approach to grape maturity. The 24-month barrel aging allows the wine to gain depth, patina, and complexity without seeking a dominant woody expression. Unfiltered bottling and low sulfite levels enhance the natural sensation and texture. The 2023 vintage delivers a Cinsault that is both supple, pure, and structured, capable of being enjoyed immediately but also aging gracefully for several years. Les Hauts de Carol's thus reveals a noble facet of Cinsault, combining aromatic finesse, velvety touch, and persistence.
On tasting, La Terrasse d'Élise Les Hauts de Carol's 2023 shows a ruby to purple, bright color with elegant intensity. The nose may evoke strawberry, cherry, ripe raspberry, rose petals, fresh spices, sweet mint, and a cocoa nuance. On the palate, the wine is pure, silky, and very fine, with delicate but persistent substance. The tannins are smooth, the texture fluid, and the freshness brings a beautiful momentum despite the vintage's maturity. The finish remains elegant, slightly spicy, with a sensation of fresh red fruit and a mentholated touch that prolongs the balance. This red will ideally accompany roasted poultry, veal with mushrooms, pork tenderloin, duck with mild spices, refined Mediterranean cuisine, or soft cheese. It can be enjoyed after aeration, but its balance and aging will also allow it to evolve gracefully over several years.
Grape variety: 100% Cinsault
