Philosophy About us Home Wines Vineyard Winery Neighbourhood Press Stay updated Friends of Begude Downloads ContactFrom “Daily Mail” 26th April 2008 (Matthew Jukes): 2006 Domaine Bégude Chardonnay, from Limoux, is produced by one of southern France's most impressive winemaking operations, and this chardonnay should win it yet more fans. Reminiscent of a very smart Chablis, something as beautiful as this would normally cost a fiver more. From ”FT” 10th May 2008 (Jancis Robinson): Domaine Begude Chardonnay 2006 Limoux High altitude (350m) vineyards in south-west Languedoc translate into a particularly fine, refreshing Chardonnay. Great value now that it’s on promotion (until 13 May) from £8.99 to £7.49 at Waitrose in the UK. K&L import it into the US. The Kinglakes are also making some very fine special bottling such as L’Étoile de Begude 2006 Limoux, which is designed to be a bargain alternative to Chassagne at 10 euros less than the Toques et Clochers collection of barrel-aged Limoux Chardonnays, and L’Esprit de Begude Pinot Noir 2006 Limoux, which, most unnervingly, tastes exactly as though it were made in Russian River Valley in California. Goedhuis are UK importers. JancisRobinson.com 7th November 2008: Domaine Begude Chardonnay 2006 Limoux Fresh, not too oaky Chardonnay. Savoury and a little mealy. Dry and fresh and lingering. From “Daily Mail” 6th December 2008 (Matthew Jukes): Domaine Begude Chardonnay 2006 Limoux This is a cultured, elegant chardonnay for those of you who have long since abandoned Chablis on account of its lofty price tag. Made in the South-West of France by an English couple, James & Catherine Kinglake, it is a terrific wine that has class oozing from the glass. From “Birmingham Mail” 3rd January 2008 (Lawrence McCoy) Limoux, Domaine Begude Chardonnay 2006 is poised & elegant with full-flavoured hints of peach and honey. From “Daily Echo” 7th January 2008 AOC Limoux 2006- Domaine Begude is a small family run estate owned by Catherine & James Kinglake. A subtly textured, deliciously crisp and fruity Chardonnay with finesse. Enjoy with seafood, fish or chicken. From « Guide Hachette 2007 » AOC Limoux 2004 **: Situe sur un coteau expose au sud, terroir original aux sols de sable et de galets, le domaine offre une vue suppremante sur les sommets enneiges des Pyrénées. Vendu a 99% a l’étranger, ce vin brillant enchante par la qualité de ses arômes de noisette verte, de fruits blancs légèrement toastes. Agréable en bouche, il glisse en finale sur une touche doucement boisée. From “The Wine List 2007” – the top selling UK wine annual by Matthew Jukes: Pinot Rose 2005. A featherweight pinot rose from high up in the hills of Limoux, this is a delightful wine, with a whisper of raspberry and cranberry fruit on the nose and a long, cool finish. At a fiver it is a ridiculous bargain- Sancerre Rose eat your heart out! 2004 Begude Chardonnay is another cracker from James & Catherine’s idyllic property as they continue their quest to prove that the “no going back” dream really can work. From “Yorkshire Post” 4th April 2007 (Christine Austin): I have really tuned into the light crisp flavours of southern French Chardonnays, particularly from Limoux. James and Catherine Kinglake continue to make some excellent wines at their Limoux property which is run on almost-organic lines. Domaine Begude Chardonnay 2006 Vin de Pays d'Oc (Majestic £5.99) is now on the shelves and the heat of last summer shows in the richness of flavours, balanced by typical Limoux acidity. From “Daily Mail” 9th June 2007 (Matthew Jukes): 2006 Domaine Begude Pinot Noir Rose. This is one rose that is worth buying by the case. It is beautifully proportioned, with a wild strawberry nose and a long, sleek finish. It has enough weight to cruise through cured meats and smoked fish, and looks drop-dead gorgeous. From “The Guardian” 16th June 2007 (Victoria Moore): I very much like the flirtatious purity of pinot noir rosé - Domaine Begude Pinot Rosé 2006 will do very nicely. From “The Irish Times ” 30th June 2007 (Joe Breen): Domaine Begude, Limoux Chardonnay 2005, 13.5%, €16.99. There is another reasonable Begude Chardonnay, at €9.99, but the extra €7 buys a big step-up in class, with elegant, round lemon-butter and honey richness matched by spirited acidity and a long finish. Burgundy in spirit if not geography. From “The Sunday Tribune” 15th July 2007 (John Wilson): Domaine Begude “Le Petit Ange” is great stuff from the beautiful high-altitude Languedoc estate of Catherine & James Kinglake. It is a delicious, zingy, fresh, crisp dry white with tingling pure apple fruits. From “Independent” 11th July 2007 (Anthony Rose): Pinot Rose 2006- Wonderfully light in colour- fragrant in aroma and yet surprisingly substantial and refreshing on the palate, this wine comes from a southern French vineyard. Run by a British couple, it operates on both organic and biodynamic principles, with minimal intervention between grape and bottle. Great with salads and lighter fish dishes. From “Money Week” 13th July 2007 (Matthew Jukes): Domaine Begude VDP d’Oc Chardonnay 2006. Begude is an idyllic property in Limoux, near Carcassonne, owned by James & Catherine Kinglake. Life in the city became a little boring for James, and he & his wife did a classic “no going back” move abroad to make wine in France. I am very pleased they did because this is superb Chardonnay at a cracking price. Burgundian in flavour and yet fresh, crisp & very classy indeed, this is the sort of Chablis-beating wine that really should be made everywhere in the south of France, but very few people have the will or the skill to do so. It involves an awful lot of manual labour and a very small production- the sacrifices are considerable. The results in the glass, though, are joyous and this is a superb summer white. BBC1 TV-“Saturday Kitchen” 29th Dec 2007 (Presenter Olly Smith) If you’re looking for a bargain of similar quality, look to lovely Limoux in south-western France - like this Domaine Begude Chardonnay - brilliant stuff, top value. From UK “Daily Mail” Sat 23rd April 2005 (Matthew Jukes): This week’s Wine of the Week is 2004 Domaine Bégude Chardonnay, Vin de Pays d’Oc, France (£59.00 ex vat per case of twelve bottles – i.e. £5.77 per bottle, Goedhuis & Co. of London tel. 020 7793 7900). Made at the historic Limoux estate, Domaine Bégude, now owned by young English couple James and Catherine Kinglake, this is the inaugural vintage of their baby Chardonnay and it is a triumph. Destined to grace dining room tables up and down the country, this is a wondrous wine, which typifies chardonnay’s grace and style. You would have to trade up to Chablis, at a tenner, to compete with this delightful, crystal clear, refreshing, apple- and pear-scented beauty. I personally wouldn’t bother trading up in this instance and have already put my order in for a case. From “The Independent” 24th June 2006 (Anthony Rose) Equally the 2005 Domaine Bégude Pinot Noir Rosé, £5.99, down from £6.99, an aromatic rosé with mouth-watering berry fruit flavours, delivers on value. From “The Times” 18th March 2006 (Jane MacQuitty) 2005 Le Petit Ange Chardonnay, Vin de Pays d’Oc, Domaine Begude, France, Majestic, £5.99. The first French 2005 whites and reds have flown in, so rejoice in this bottle’s precocious pear-drop scents, with aniseed, apricot and banana-custard flavours in the mix, too. From “Daily Mail” 8th July 2006 (Matthew Jukes): Pinot Rose 2005. A featherweight pinot rose from high up in the hills of Limoux, this is a delightful wine, with a whisper of raspberry and cranberry fruit on the nose and a long, cool finish. At a fiver it is a ridiculous bargain- Sancerre Rose eat your heart out! From “The Guardian” 19th August 2006 (Victoria Moore): I also like La Begude Chardonnay 2004, from France, which is grown using biodynamic principles. It is aged in oak, but still very elegant. From “Financial Times” 19th November 2005 (Jancis Robinson): Zestier than most Languedoc Chardonnays with the nerve associated with the Limoux hills. English owned. From US “Wine Spectator” 30th November 2005 (Kim Marcus): Domaine Begude Vin de Pays d’Oc Chardonnay 2004 $12. Fresh and lively white, with pretty apple and tropical fruit flavors with some citrus notes adding zest on the finish. 86 From “Yorkshire Post” 5th November 2005 (Christine Austin): The Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Oddbins £7.99) is lively with fresh crisp apple fruits, while the 2004 AOC Limoux Chardonnay (Waitrose) is tasting well above its £8.99 price point. From “The Wine List 2006” – the top selling UK wine annual by Matthew Jukes: Domaine Begude VDP Chardonnay 2004. This is the definitive unoaked French Chardonnay of the year. Sealed with a screwcap, so each and every bottle will be in tiptop condition. From “Independent on Sunday” 7th May 2006 (Richard Ehrlich): Domaine Begude Limoux Chardonnay 2004: An impressive, generously oaked but apple-fresh chardonnay from Limoux. From “The Observer” 13th August 2005 (Kate Mosse): Domaine Begude lies just above the small hamlet of Cepie, just outside Limoux. An English couple, James & Catherine Kinglake, bought it and are producing an excellent Chardonnay (among other wines). Tastings and tours are by appointment only – call +33 (0)6 86 05 73 74.
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