Val d'Orbieu wines

Online Exclusive

Price $16

Clear, calm and fairly pretty, with some density and earthiness. The palate is like fresh fruit on a sun-drenched day, and the finish is chewy, substantive and textured. Short on complexity, but it has a lot going for it considering that it’s a co-op wine. — M.S. (1/1/2004)

86

points

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Reserve St. Martin Chardonnay (Languedoc)

Best Buy

Price $8

The aromas are slightly waxy at first, with some sweetness and spice below the surface. But the palate is rich and oily, with banana and tropical fruit. The finish is light, smooth and easy, though not too exciting or loud. Here the virtues outweigh the faults, leaving a solid overall impression. — M.S. (9/1/2003)

85

points

Val d'Orbieu 1999 Les Deux Rives Red (Corbières)

Best Buy

Price $7

This wine from the Val d’Orbieu group is a traditional southern French blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. The aromas are of tree bark and spice; they aren’t too lush but they are pleasant and fresh. Tart cherry and spice runs the palate before a mild, smooth finish. Taste it and you’ll agree that it’s the prototypical bistro wine, one that is light… — M.S. (2/1/2003)

84

points

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Les Deux Rives Blanc White (Corbières)

Best Buy

Price $8

Spicy, with raspberry and spearmint aromas. Shows cranberry and plum skin on the palate, which is lean and lacking in the texture category. Gets better with airing, but still shows some bitterness on the finish and not much in the middle. — M.S. (9/1/2003)

84

points

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Reserve St. Martin Viognier (Vin de Pays d'Oc)

Price $9

Quite gold in color, with vanilla, candle wax, banana and apricot aromas. All this may make it sound more complex than it is; in reality, it’s a basic wine with apple and citrus flavors and a somewhat flat, low-acid feel. — M.S. (9/1/2003)

84

points

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Les Deux Rives Rouge Red (Corbières)

Best Buy

Price $8

Spicy, with raspberry and spearmint aromas. Shows cranberry and plum skin on the palate, which is lean and lacking in the texture category. Gets better with airing, but still shows some bitterness on the finish and not much in the middle. — M.S. (9/1/2003)

83

points

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Reserve St. Martin Merlot (Languedoc)

Price $8

Quite nondescript, with spicy chili aromas and other hard-to-peg piquant smells. The palate is sweet, awkward and deals cinnamon and clove along with weak berry fruit. It’s almost there, but throughout it lacks a certain something. — M.S. (9/1/2003)

82

points

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Reserve St. Martin Syrah (Languedoc)

Price $8

Sweet aromas of leather and caramel seem murky and tired. The palate comes without snap, and that’s despite some plum and raspberry flavors. The finish is lean and basic, and overall it’s a simple wine that doesn’t really taste much like Syrah. — M.S. (9/1/2003)

Val d'Orbieu

Val d'Orbieu 2000 Cuvee Mythique Red (Languedoc)

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Reserve St. Martin Chardonnay (Languedoc)

Val d'Orbieu 1999 Les Deux Rives Red (Corbières)

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Les Deux Rives Blanc White (Corbières)

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Reserve St. Martin Viognier (Vin de Pays d'Oc)

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Les Deux Rives Rouge Red (Corbières)

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Reserve St. Martin Merlot (Languedoc)

Val d'Orbieu 2001 Reserve St. Martin Syrah (Languedoc)

Most Reviewed Designations

Most Reviewed Varietals

2009 Russian River Vineyards Estate Grown