Wines Côtes Catalanes Jones - Vieux Cépages - 2019

Viniou Reviews

Château Jones 2019 Cuvée Vieux Cépages, hailing from the Côtes Catalanes appellation, is a red wine that pays homage to the old vines of the Languedoc-Roussillon. Crafted from a field blend of ancestral varieties typical of the region—often including Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah—this cuvée showcases the depth and complexity possible from mature vineyards. The 2019 vintage in southern France was marked by generous sunshine and modest rainfall, resulting in deeply concentrated fruit and balanced acidity. Careful vinification allows the pure expression of the fruit, supported by gentle extraction and restrained use of oak, highlighting the authentic voice of these venerable grape varieties.

The Côtes Catalanes, forming part of Languedoc-Roussillon near the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, benefits from a warm, dry climate with cooling winds such as the Tramontane. The soils here are varied, with schist and clay-limestone predominant, contributing minerality and structure. This historically rich region has long been a melting pot of French and Catalan cultures, reflected in its vibrant winemaking traditions and local gastronomy.

For food pairings, the robust yet nuanced profile of the Cuvée Vieux Cépages suits classic regional dishes such as Catalan-style lamb stew, grilled duck breast with herbes de Provence, or a cassoulet richly layered with white beans and sausage. It would also be harmonious with roasted vegetables, aged cheeses like Ossau-Iraty, or a simple platter of charcuterie highlighting local cured meats.

When it comes to serving, decanting the wine for around 30 minutes will help reveal its aromatic complexity and soften the tannins derived from old vines. The ideal tasting temperature is between 16-18°C, which will allow the wine’s layers of spice, black fruit, and subtle garrigue notes to unfold gracefully on the palate. This is a characterful wine to savour now, but it also possesses the structure for cellaring over the next five to seven years.