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.
A.O.P. Languedoc
40% Bourboulenc, 30% Vermentino, 30% Clairette
Food pairing: Seafood heaven! Grilled halibut with pineapple-red pepper salsa; shrimp salad with chutney mayonnaise; seabass-cabbage spring rolls with ginger and chili dipping sauce. Delicious!
2018 Vintage on White Wine page
IGP Pays D’Oc
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot
From the brilliant female winemaker Verena Wyss, this “beautiful song” bewitches with aromas of spice, licorice and cassis and notes of graphite. Bold complexity is balanced with smooth tannins and structure in an organic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.
Côtes Catalanes
40% Muscat, 20% Viognier, 20% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc
This unusual blend of muscat, viognier, roussanne and white grenache is all from hand harvested and sorted grapes. The wine is bone dry, and grounded with minerality but with popping fruit flavors of peach, mango and citrus with spice on the finish.
AOP Malepère
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Food Pairings: Red meat, strong cheeses, grilled lamb, but also solo as a treat.
Awards:
Coup de Couer Guide Hachette 3 stars 2019
Gold Medal Mundus Vini 2018
Gold Medal Milliseme Bio 2018
Gold Medal Vinalies Internationale 2018
Gold Medal at Concours General Agricole 2016, 2019
AOP Minervois
70% Syrah, 30% Grenache
This Syrah-dominant, organic red shines like a ruby with pink cherry highlights. The taste is complex but not heavy and laced with aromas of blackberry and wild herbs of the garrigue. Black pepper and licorice are present as well. A silky mouthfeel and elegant, soft tannins balance the pleasant intensity.
A.O.P. Faugères
85% Grenache Noir, 15% Mourvèdre
Food pairing: Let’s go high and low to show the versatility of this red: Beef Wellington or Juicy Charbroiled Burgers. This Athanor, the cauldron of the alchemist, can hang in there. Try it with Beef Tacos, Fajitas, and Roasted Cabrito (Goat). Or Chili con Carne. Or chill it and drink with Bouillabaise with Rouille Basil Crostini. A true magician in a bottle!
AOP Cotes de Roussillon Villages
Syrah, Grenache Noir
The nose of this Rhône-style blend bursts with blackberry jam, cherry, herbs and a touch of violets. The flavors are crisp, acid is bright and tannins are firm and grippy. This is the ultimate pleasure wine with friends. Serve slightly chilled.
AOP Languedoc
50% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah
This is not just an easy sipping wine but a “glass with class”. Old vines, low yields, slow extraction of colour in the press reveals soft and fruity tones in the wine. To give the wine a bit of punch, the blend passes for a short time on French oak barrels. Result is a tasty, gastronomic rosé perfect for the dinner table. Santé!
IGP Pays d'Oc
100% Merlot
With its soft and jammy flavors, low tannin and easy drinking character this is a wine which will never bore. Matured in stainless steel, this organic Merlot is a great everyday wine in with a lighter style.
Gold medal: Concours Général Agricole 2014
Gold medal: Gilbert & Gaillard 2012 guide
I.G.P. Pays d’Oc
100% Chardonnay
Food pairing: If you have trouble sharing, then open this wine alone. Seriously. But if you love company too then serve on the weekend with Eggs Benedict Drenched in a Gorgeous Buttery Lemon Hollandaise; Crusty Chicken Pot Pie; or Roasted Pork Loin with Calvados Cream Sauce.
A.O.C. Fitou
40% Carignan, 30% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah
We first found this award winning wine at a Fitou tasting in Paris. We tasted 15 or more Fitou wines and this wine stood out far above all others. It is powerful but the tannins are well integrated and the aromas and flavors are lusciously delicious. Try it with pan roasted duck in 5 spice powder and a port sauce. Or simply with a steak or burger for a special treat!!
AOP Malepère
60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Malbec
Food Pairing: A good choice with hearty meat dishes, sausage and bean dishes and strong cheeses. This Maitresse is charming!
Awards:
Silver Medal Milliseme Bio 2018
Silver Medal au Concours des Grands Vins de Frances à Mâcon 2015
Silver Medal au Concours general agricole de Paris 2015
