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Picpoul de Pinet H.B.
Les Costieres de Pomerols
France - Languedoc-Roussillon

This wine consists of 100% Picpoul (or Piquepoul) - a very popular, traditional local variety planted on sun-drenched hillsides called "costières" (coastal region) in the Mediterranean garrigue, near the Etang de Thau - a coastal lagoon situated between the port of Sète and Marseillan. The vines are 15-20 years old.

The garrigue is the name given to open scrubland made up of low-growing, dwarf bushy shrubs including holm oak, juniper, broom and wild herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage.

The color is a superb pale yellow with bright hues. The nose is elegant, with aromas of fresh fruit and citrus fruit especially grapefruit. Well-balanced with typical focusing and zesty acidity.

A pure expression of the grape varietal, the wine shows how good Picpoul can be when grown on its favorite terroir. Our best value, this wine impresses novices and hardened geeks equally.

(also see La Petite Frog Picpoul de Pinet Bag-in-Box)

Specifications
Wine Type
White
Varietal(s)
100% Picpoul de Pinet
Age of vines
15-20 years
Agricultural Practices
Sustainable
Soil type
clay & limestone
Vinification
Grapes are harvested at night at perfect maturity (13.5 degrees ). Juice protected against oxidation. Pneumatic pressing and selection of free-run juice under inert gas. Cold settling for 48 hours at 8°C (46°F). Temperature-controlled fermentation (15° C - 59°F). No malolactic fermentation.
Total Acidity : 3.56
pH: 3.32
RS: 0.47 g/liter
Total Sulfites: 103 PPM
Free Sulfites : 29 PPM
Pairings

Known as "the Muscadet of the South" in France, this is to the Mediterranean coast of France what Albariño is to northwest Spain...the default wine for fresh shellfish & seafood! It is equally good with grilled monkfish, crayfish bisque.

Reviews and News

Picpoul de Pinet - Best seafood pairing - Vinepair

Picpoul de Pinet - Best seafood pairing - Vinepair

vinepair logo web"THE ONLY WINE YOU SHOULD BE DRINKING WITH SEAFOOD IS PICPOUL DE PINET

One of the best white summer quaffers in the world of wine costs $10 and is probably sitting lonely on the bottom shelf in the French section of your local wine shop, tall, slender and green, filled with thirst-quenching awesomeness waiting to be snatched up and guzzled down. That wine is Picpoul de Pinet and it’s time to get acquainted with this playful Mediterranean."
Read more here

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Picpoul de Pinet - 10th anniversary - Decanter 2023

Picpoul de Pinet - 10th anniversary - Decanter 2023

decanter logo 250"This year marks 10 years since Picpoul de Pinet gained its AOC status, although the Piquepoul variety has been grown in the area since the 14th century. Like the Loire’s Muscadet or Portugal’s Vinho Verde, Picpoul de Pinet offers refreshing, dry white wines perfect for summer."

"The success of Picpoul de Pinet lies largely in its consistency, offering reliably fresh, food-friendly wines. The fluted green bottle, called Neptune, with its Languedoc cross and wave pattern emblazoned across the top, is instantly recognisable." 

 - Decanter, Natalie Earl (August 2023) 

2021 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - SILVER - Sommeliers Choice Awards

2021 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - SILVER - Sommeliers Choice Awards

sommelier choice award silver 2023"Wine with a personality. Bright acidity. Clean and Bright flavours and crisp on palate. Classic bottle and label."

 - Sommeliers Choice Awards 2023, SILVER

 

2020 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 93 PTS - TP

2020 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 93 PTS - TP

tasting panel logo"From 15-20-year-old vines grown in clay and limestone in the coastal Mediterranean garrigue, this stunning variety shows its best traits. Aromas of lime and pistachio also develop garrigue notes: rosemary and other indigenous herbs. A fine coconut creaminess sits astride a nervy acidity. Chamomile notes are lifted by a salty stream of pineapple, white grapefruit, and its zest. Edgy, exciting, and ultimately quite food friendly."

 - The Tasting Panel (November/December 2021), 93 pts

2018 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - Bronze Medal - Decanter

2018 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - Bronze Medal - Decanter

decanter bronze 2019"Zesty freshness on the nose is mirrored on the palate - a steely, bracing, classic Picpoul with a delightful touch of nuttiness on the long finish."
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2019, Bronze Medal

 

 

2017 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 90 PTS - JD

2017 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 90 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"The 2017 Picpoul Pinet H.B. Languedoc is brought up all in tank. This terrific Picpoul offers lots of citrus, mineral, and white flower aromas, medium body, bright acidity, and a clean, dry, crisp finish. It's well worth checking out and ideal as a house white. Drink up."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 90 pts

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2017 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 89 PTS- WA

2017 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 89 PTS- WA

wa89"The leading Picpoul in the US, according to importer Fran Kysela, the 2017 Picpoul de Pinet HB displays fresh aromas of lime zest and grapefruit. It's a light-bodied, zippy rendition of the variety, with some attractive melon and citrus notes on the finish. It's a great bargain for slurping down alongside oysters. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Interim end of September, September 2018 ), 89 pts

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2017 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 87 PTS - W&S

2017 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 87 PTS - W&S

wine and spirits logo 250""
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (August 2018), 87 pts
BEST BUY

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2016 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 90 PTS - DECANTER

2016 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 90 PTS - DECANTER

decanter logo 250"This old-vine cuvée (its members own 450 ha, so Beauvignac has plenty to choose from) is about as sappy and ripely green as Picpoul can get: springtime in liquid form, without much glycerol, majoring on ripe acidity and with a stony, pungent finish."
- Decanter (March 2017), 90 pts

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2016 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 88 PTS- WA

2016 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 88 PTS- WA

wa88"The 2016 Picpoul de Pinet Hugues Beaulieu is about as quaffable and easy drinking as they come, showing lots of citrus and melon fruit, a hint of mint, medium body and a juicy, clean finish. It delivers exactly what you want from a Picpoul de Pinet. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #230, April 2017), 88 pts

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2015 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - The Best for $10 or less - W&S

2015 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - The Best for $10 or less - W&S

ws 2016 top 100 bestbuys"Saline and lemony, this is ready for a platter of raw seafood or herb-rich tabouli."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (30th Anniversary Issue, October 2016), The Best for $10 or less 2016

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2015 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - Chicago Tribune

2015 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - Chicago Tribune

chicago tribune"Full of lime, spice and acidity, this crisp white is made entirely of the piquepoul grape variety, and hails from the Picpoul de Pinet appellation. It made for a refreshing aperitif that would also go well with oysters and sushi.!"
- Michael Austin, Chicago Tribune (October 2016)

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2015 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 89 PTS - WA

2015 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 89 PTS - WA

wa89"A delicious Picpoul that just scream for a hot summer say (or a plate of oysters), the 2015 Picpoul de Pinet H.B. offers lots of salty minerality, bitter citrus and hints of rose petal in a medium-bodied, juicy, clean and refreshing style. Buy multiple bottles and enjoy over the coming summer months!"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #224, April 2016), 89 pts

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2015 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 88 PTS - BEST BUY - W&S

2015 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 88 PTS - BEST BUY - W&S

wine and spirits logo 250"Lemony and briny, this is ready for a plateau de fruits de mer enjoyed at a seaside café."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (June 2016), 88 pts - BEST BUY - Year's Best Languedoc-Roussillon

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2014 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 87 PTS Best Value - WS

2014 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 87 PTS Best Value - WS

Wine Spectator 87 Pts"This has a supple texture, layered with creamed apple, citrus and peach flavors. Accents of almond skin, green fig and oyster shell add appeal through the savory, spicy finish. Drink now. 120,000 cases made. –GS"

Wine Spectator (December 31st 2015), 87 pts + BEST VALUE

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2013 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet La Petite Frog Bag-In-Box - Bulk Buy - RWS

2013 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet La Petite Frog Bag-In-Box - Bulk Buy - RWS

rws petite frog logo 250"The 2013 La Petite Frog Picpoul De Pinet begins with very pleasant aromas of green apple, pear, lemon, lime, a little nectarine and honeysuckle. Tasting the wine reveals it is true to its name with great acidity. The wine is light to medium-bodied but full of flavor with deep, rich, tart fruit like zesty citrus, peach and more nectarine and lemon/lime notes. It ends crisply with a dry mouthwatering finish. At only $24 for a box (the equivalent of $6 a bottle), this little frog will have you jumping for joy!"
- Reserve Wine Snob (October 28th 2014, see article HERE), Bulk Buy

Go to La Petite Frog Picpoul de Pinet BIB 3 Liters

2013 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 92 PTS - BTI

2013 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 92 PTS - BTI

bti"Steel gray color. Lively aromas and flavors of nectarine, white pineapple, lemon blossom, and limestone with a silky, racy, dry medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length finish with impressions of lemon, lime, tart apple, and pear with no tannins and no oak. Electric from start to finish with limestone, lush pineapple and nectarine that dances on your tongue thanks to the on the verge of over the top acidity."
- Beverage Testing Institute (August 25th 2014), 92 pts + Best Buy

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2012 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 88 PTS - Wine & Spirits

2012 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 88 PTS - Wine & Spirits

wine and spirits logo 250"From a coop of some 450 growers just southeast of Pézenas, this is fresh and lively, with ruby-red grapefruit flavors and zesty acidity. For anything from the sea."
Top 100 + Value of the year + Best Buy

Wine & Spirits Magazine (June 2013), 88 pts

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2012 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 87 PTS Top Value - WS

2012 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 87 PTS Top Value - WS

Wine Spectator 87 Pts"The green apple and white cherry flavors are backed by vibrant acidity in this fresh and spicy white. Currant and gooseberry notes linger on the finish. Drink now. 111,000 cases made"

Wine Spectator (October 15th 2013), 87 pts + BEST VALUE + TOP50 GLOBAL VALUE OF THE YEAR 2013

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2012 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 87 PTS - WA

2012 Cave de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet HB - 87 PTS - WA

Wine Advocate"Coming from a large cooperative in the Languedoc-Roussillon corridor, Cave de Pomerols is an annual winner in the values sweepstakes. The 2012 Picpoul de Pinet, often known as the Muscadet of southern France, is a naked, 100% Picpoul (which is also known as Folle Blanche) offering plenty of grapefruit, citrus and wet rock-like characteristics in a light-bodied, crisp, elegant, dry, well-made style. It is not meant to age, so enjoy it over the next 6-12 months with shellfish and seafood. "

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #208, August 2013), 87 pts

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Producer Information: Les Costieres de Pomerols

Founded in 1932, this Cave Coopérative is located in the top commune of Pomérols, between the garrigue of Pezenas and the sea dominated by the Mont St Clair in Sete. ...
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