Hecht & Bannier St Chinian 2011
Critic Reviews (6)
A wonderfully schistous, scorched earth, minerally and regionally distinctive Saint Chinian here, firm and poised, by...
This a loose, fresh, very spicy and lifted southern French red. Very savoury (not fruity/floral) with lots of...
Marked by syrah, full-bodied and tannic, for now a bit monolithic but the potential for further aging of two or three...
A nicely polished example of Saint-Chinian, perhaps a little commercial but appealing nonetheless. Notes of plum,...
Inviting nose of fruit and black licorice jam, very generous, ample, same style as all the wines from this trade....
Much firmer and driven than in previous vintages. A very mineral and tannin driven Saint Chinian. Good wine, needs...
Community Reviews (4)
Really fine St Chinian here from H&B. The excellent fruit is bolstered by notes of black olives, pepper, herbs and dried meats. Has really well-judged acidity and tannin. A refined, yet still authentic St Chinian for sure. Drinking very nicely now, should keep a few more years. Tasted Feb 2016.
Bottled summer of 2013, this Syrah-led blend has perfumed, floral and red berry aromas of medium intensity. Elegant pepper and aroma replays show up on the palate that is full-bodied with a very smooth mouthfeel. Mouth-watering acids and excellent length on the finish. Silky smooth. Blended with Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Tasted Nov/2013. Score: 90+ pts
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Somewhat better than the Minervois, H&B's Saint-Chinian, a Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre blend, is another complex, complicated, and ultimately challenging wine. It opens with a stunning burst of dark fruit, notably blackberries and plums, deepening with leather, black pepper, licorice, vanilla, baking spice, herbs, and a driving current of minerality. But then it flattens out, revealing a core of austerity, the initial burst fading, and so while there's a lot going on, rooted deeply in its terroir, it proves to be a rather severe and unforgiving effort overall.
Definition of textbook but boring wine. Everything is in the right place, you can tell this is well crafted. But it's too well crafted. Great weight, texture and freshness, yet is a very forgettable experience. Too well made if that makes any sense.