Hecht et Bannier - Saint-Chinian 2011

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Here is a fine Saint-Chinian with the expected aromatic richness and a finish evoking the garrigue, very typical of the Languedoc. It is representative of the appellation’s limestone-based wines. A benchmark wine.

About the estate:

Grégory Hecht and François Bannier have breathed new life into the region, specializing from the very beginning—in 2002—in a high-quality, ambitious, and original wine merchant operation. Carefully selecting their grapes from across the Mediterranean basin, from Roussillon to Provence, they meticulously craft and age ambitious wines that often hit the mark. Every year they visit several hundred estates to select only the finest grapes and the best juices, most often from hillside vineyards.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Fresher, livelier, and more complex, the 2011 Saint-Chinian is another fine wine from this producer. The bouquet features notes of ripe cherry, blackberry, flowers, and garrigue, while the palate is medium-bodied, fresh, and supple, with juicy acidity and a clean finish. Best enjoyed within 4 to 5 years.

About the estate:

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

About the wine:

The Saint-Chinian is fresh, smoky, and flavorful.

About the estate:

Grégory Hecht and François Bannier continue to run their wine merchant and producer business, which specializes in wines from the Mediterranean region (Languedoc, Roussillon, and Provence), breathing new life into an area that has been lacking initiatives of this kind. The selection is rigorous, featuring a precise and aromatic style that intelligently avoids the dominance of new oak. While we commend the work accomplished and the consistency of the most ambitious vintages—with Faugères and Saint-Chinian among the best in their respective appellations—the range also shows some weaknesses.