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 red wines is defined by the terroirs from which they originate: Carboniferous, basalt, and Villafranchian. Among the whites, Lune Blanche is one of the most original wines in Languedoc thanks to its blend of White Carignan. When paired with Roussanne, it becomes Lune-Rousse, and later with Marsanne. The Villafranchian Grenache and the Syrah grown on Carboniferous schist offer elegance and are easy to drink.

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 training in Burgundy is evident in his appreciation for the nuances of different terroirs, his delicate approach to 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 liveliness. 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 truly come into their own.