Wines Cité de Carcassonne Camin - Pinot Noir - 2024

Viniou Reviews

Camin's Pinot Noir 2024 from the Cité de Carcassonne IGP exemplifies the fresh modernity that southern French Pinot can offer. With the 2024 vintage, you can expect a wine that plays on the light-footed, fruit-forward characteristics classic to the grape, but with a southern French accent. The grape's reputation for difficulty in the vineyard is well managed here; this cuvée is typically vinified in stainless steel or neutral vats, preserving the purity and juiciness of the fruit while allowing the expressive red cherry, raspberry and subtle floral notes to shine. There is likely just a whisper of gentle tannins, underlining a vibrant, supple texture. If any oak is used, it will have been sparingly and thoughtfully applied, simply to round out the mouthfeel rather than dominate.

Cité de Carcassonne IGP spans the sundrenched plains surrounding the medieval city of Carcassonne, in the heart of Languedoc and Roussillon. The region enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate, but thanks to cooling Atlantic and mountain influences, especially from the nearby Pyrenees and Montagne Noire, the nights can be markedly cooler. This diurnal variation is key for retaining acidity and aromatic complexity in Pinot Noir. The soils here range from calcareous clay to gravel and sandy alluvium, lending freshness, delicate minerality, and subtle herbal complexity to the wines. Languedoc's winemaking tradition goes back millennia, but this area’s experimentation with "Burgundian" varietals like Pinot Noir is a relatively recent and successful innovation.

This supple red would make an excellent partner to roast game birds such as quail or duck breast, especially with a cherry or berry sauce. It also pairs beautifully with grilled lamb chops, thyme-roasted chicken, or a simple charcuterie platter. For a regional touch, try it alongside a confit de canard or local goat cheese from the nearby Pyrenean foothills, both of which highlight the freshness and elegance of the wine.

Serve this Pinot Noir just lightly chilled, ideally between 14-16°C. A medium-sized tulip glass will help focus the wine’s bright fruit and subtle aromatics. It is best enjoyed within its youth, over the next two to three years, to capture all of its fresh, lively charm.