Waking up to the 'sleeping giant' region of Languedoc(2)

Made from 100 percent old vine grenache, this plum-colored wine had a subtle nose of violets and cedar. The body was big and easy, with spicy fruit jazzed by touches of licorice and mint. Vote: Yes
3 corkscrews $56

2006 Chateau Portal Minervois

This blend of syrah, grenache and carignan offered lots of tart cherry tang in the glass with a slightly stemmy nose. Backers liked the wine's fruit-forward profile. Others dismissed it as one-note. Vote: No

2 corkscrews $18

2007 Val d'Orbieu Minervois Oucitan

Smelling of fresh berries, this blend of grenache, syrah and carignan had an astringent profile. Look for notes of clove, wood and berries. Vote: No
2 corkscrews $11

2006 Chateau Sainte Eulalie Minervois La Liviniere La Cantilene

A deceptively light blend of syrah, grenache and carignan with wisps of earth and incense on the nose. But it had little fruit and was too astringent. Vote: No
2 corkscrews $23