Archive Cellar
All of the wines we carry at Princess and Bear have small case productions and as each vintage varies from year to year, we want to offer tasting notes and technical information on past vintages we've carried for reference.
Below is a list of sold out wines. Click the wine name below to view the Languedoc-Roussillon sommelier’s tasting notes.
These wines are made by the most passionate winemakers and have a finesse and complexity that will keep you coming back for more. Many of the winemakers are contrarian and make wines in their own passionate way regardless of tradition or requirements to be an AOC wine.
Our many organic selections are presented below with the European Union organic leaf designation. Organic wines in the EU can use small amounts of organic sulphur, which helps make the wines remain stable over time.
AOP Minervois
100% Syrah
The dark fruit, powerful spices, and herbaceous aromas of this Syrah entice the senses. The rich, upfront mouthfeel resolves into silky tannins. Surrender to the lingering finish...until your next luscious sip. Domaine Borie de Maurel practices organic and biodynamic agriculture.
IGP Vallée du Paradis
50% Merlot, 30% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir
Notes of ripe fruit and wood harmonize in this bold blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache Noir. Firm tannins and a fine structure enhance the warming spiciness. The cooperative donates a portion of sales to protecting biodiversity, including rebuilding the stone wall habitat of the reptilian namesake of this stunning cuvée—Timon Lepidus.
AOP La Clape
40% Bourboulenc, 40% Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier, 5% Marsanne, 5% Roussanne
Elegant and lively, this organic cuvée blends white Grenache and Bourboulenc with lovely touches of Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Herbaceous and floral notes highlight an appealing minerality from the white stones characteristic of the appellation. A round and precise mouth with delicate texture resolve into a long, bright finish.
IGP Pays d'Oc
50% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet
Ripe strawberry flavors and minerality won this delicate beauty the Bronze Medal in 2019 from the Independent Winegrowers Competition (Vignerons Independants Concours) and from our 2019 tasting panel. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet, this rosé is silky on the mouth yet crisp.
AOP Saint-Chinian
65% Syrah, 20% Old Carignan, 15% Grenache Noir
This organic red delights with its aromatic sweetness of vanilla and chocolate. Cashew and a touch of smokiness round out the nose. The generous mouthfeel is soft and elegant, yet expressive. A “signature” of this domaine, Cuvée Signée embodies the Saint-Chinian terroir and the Domaine des Jougla style — tradition balanced with innovation making this an all time favorite red wine.
A.O.P. Faugères
70% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne
Food pairing: This wine which comes from “The Cathedral“ vineyard will bring you to your knees when served with Blue Cheese and Pear pastry appetizers; Roast Yuzu Chicken and Japanese slaw with Mirin Vinaigrette; or Tagliatelle of Wild Mushrooms.
AOP Picpoul de Pinet
100% Picpoul
Picpoul is at home as a native grape at the Domaine La Croix Gratiot located near the Mediterranean shore. Night-harvesting preserves the fruity aromas and floral notes of this crisp white wine. Expect lively acidity with bright flavors of citrus and green tree fruit. The salty sea breeze produces a dry but wonderfully aromatic wine
AOP Fitou
40% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 30% Syrah
“It’s another winner from this estate that offers a supple, sexy and medium to full-bodied personality to go with great aromas and flavors of blackberry and black cherry fruit, roasted herbs, leather and licorice. Sweetly fruity, beautifully textured and with terrific purity of fruit.” Jeb Dunnock, Wine Advocate
Fitou Cuvée
50% Mourvèdre, 30% Carignan, 20% Grenache
Food Pairing: In order to reveal the full potential of this wine with a strong antioxidant Mourvèdre slowly emerging, it is best to wait 4 to 5 years for it to reach maturity and thus open its aromatic palette, or it is imperative to decant it 5 to 7 hours before eating it. This will reveal the very strong character of this wine both on the very ripe black fruits but also and especially on the notes of roasting, cocoa or cinnamon.
AOP Minervois
60% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 20% Carignan
Syrah and Mourvèdre blend beautifully together to create an intense, decadent nose of black pepper and licorice mingled with cassis and blueberry in this fine organic and biodynamic red wine. In the mouth, rich complexity of baked fruits, tobacco and cedar flows into a long and smooth unforgettable finish. Les Crès has been praised by well-known British wine critic Andrew Jefford.
Exclusively Available in our Tasting Room
AOP Saint-Chinian
65% Syrah, 20% Old Carignan, 15% Grenache Noir
This organic red delights with its aromatic sweetness of vanilla and chocolate. Cashew and a touch of smokiness round out the nose. The generous mouthfeel is soft and elegant, yet expressive. A “signature” of this domaine, Cuvée Signée embodies the Saint-Chinian terroir and the Domaine Des Jougla style — tradition balanced with innovation making this an all time favorite red wine.
IGP Coteaux d'Enserune
100% Viognier
A study in lush, floral debauchery, this organic Viognier tantalizes with a nose of citrus, lychee and lemon blossom and a fluid, lively mouth. In the hands of the owner and oenologue Stéphane Yerle, the viognier expresses masterfully. The wine is well balanced with just a hint of acidity to keep the palate alive and interested.
