Wines Corbières-Boutenac Château Villemajou - 2022

Viniou Reviews

Château Villemajou 2022 from the Corbières-Boutenac AOC is a quintessential representation of southern French red wine craftsmanship. This vintage combines classic Mediterranean grape varieties, predominantly Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The vines are often old, benefiting from deep roots and low yields, resulting in a concentrated and expressive wine. The 2022 vintage showcases a deep garnet robe with vibrant reflections. The nose opens with aromas of ripe black fruits, garrigue herbs, and subtle oaky spice, thanks to careful ageing, often partly in French oak barrels for extra structure and complexity. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, structured yet supple, with layers of plum, blackberry, wild herbs, and a lingering, peppery finish.

Corbières-Boutenac, a prestigious sub-appellation within the Languedoc, boasts a unique terroir characterised by stony limestone-clay soils and a rugged landscape dotted with bush vines. The Mediterranean climate delivers hot, dry summers cooled by sea breezes, enabling perfect grape ripening while maintaining freshness. Historically, Languedoc was a volume-focused region, but estates like Château Villemajou led the transformation towards quality, with Boutenac gaining special recognition for its outstanding reds. This region mixes old winemaking traditions with modern precision, resulting in wines of character and depth.

For food pairings, the robust yet refined nature of Château Villemajou 2022 makes it an excellent match for hearty meat dishes such as slow-cooked lamb shank, roast beef with herbs, or duck breast with black olives. Classical Languedoc fare, for example cassoulet or grilled merguez sausages, will also complement its earthy, savoury notes beautifully. Hard and mature cheeses such as Cantal or Comté are fine partners for its tannic structure and spicy undertones.

To fully appreciate its aromatic complexity and powerful palate, serve this wine at 16-18°C. Decanting for an hour before serving is advisable, especially in its youth, to allow it to open up and reveal all its nuances. Château Villemajou 2022 is enjoyable now but will further evolve over the next five to eight years.