Domaine Le Conte des Floris - Homo Habilis 2011 (Magnum)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Catherine and Daniel Le Conte des Floris have established themselves in the Pézenas region. Their whites, remarkable for their depth, demonstrate the appeal of White Carignan and show just how much its widespread uprooting in Languedoc was a mistake. The region’s most discerning winemakers are beginning to replant it, a sign of the times. The range of reds is defined by the terroirs where they are born: Carboniferous, basaltic, and Villafranchian. Among the whites, Lune Blanche is one of the most original wines in the Languedoc thanks to its blend of white Carignan. Combined with Roussanne, it becomes Lune-Rousse, and with Marsanne, it takes on a different character. The Villafranchian Grenache and the Syrah grown on Carboniferous schist cultivate elegance and an easy-drinking quality.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

It was in the year 2000 that Daniel Le Conte des Floris, a former journalist, took the plunge by founding this small and exciting estate in Pézenas. His Burgundian background is evident in his appreciation for the nuances of different terroirs, his careful management of barrel aging, and, ultimately, in wines that emphasize aromatic complexity and freshness. Word of mouth has made the whites the stars of the Languedoc, pioneers in their intense, precise, and rich style, with a preserved freshness. As for the reds, in a refined style, there is a beautiful trilogy exploring the nuances of the terroir with the Villafranchien (Grenache), Carbonifère (Syrah), and Basaltique cuvées—wines that sometimes need a year or two of aging to come into their own.