Recommendation: Both get our recommended rating.
Winery/Producer: Philippe Teulier; Goutrens, France.
Grape Variety: Fer Servadou.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Marcillac, France.
Vintage: (Lo Sang del Pais) 2012; (Cuvee Vieilles Vignes) 2011
Price: Sold as a pair for $28 (normally the Lo Sang del Pais is $14 and the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is $18)
Purchased From: The Caviste Wine Store; Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Paired With: Caesar salad, grill cheese sandwich and tomato soup with tarragon.
Tasting:
He said: Both were ruby red color but the Lo Sang del Pais had a purple tint at the rim. Both had damp earth and smoke aromas but the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes was clearly more pronounced. Both had the same mid-palate through the finish dark fruit and smokey taste, but the Lo Sang del Pais mouth feel was slightly flat where the Cuvee Vieilles vignes clearly had a brightness and clear flavors. Overall both were excellent with the food and drinking alone. I would recommend either of them in a flash. The differences were subtle, but there was clearly a depth, more layers of fruit and a brightness in the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes. With that said, in a blind tasting I could easily not be able to identify them!!!
She said: The object of the tasting was to determine the differences between these two wines. I failed because I could not distinguish them consistently, although I thought there were differences along the way. By the end of the dinner, I could notice a difference in the intensity of the aroma and I thought the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes had slightly more body and flavor. Both were smooth and excellent with the food and sipping after dinner; but subtle flavors are just not my thing. These are reportedly a good substitute for Beaujolais which Ray loves; but I like stronger flavored wines.
Comments: Both of these wines are made from 100% Fer Servadou grapes, come from the same vineyard and are both produced by the same wine maker. However, the Lo Sang del Pais is made with grapes harvested from young vines and the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is made with grapes harvested from 80-years old vines. A VERY fun comparison tasting.
Alcohol: Lo Sang del Pais: 12.5%; Cuvee Vieilles Vignes: 13%