Chateau Martinolles near Carcassone in Limoux is more famous for the production of sparkling wines. Fortunately though the winery has access to riper plots of Pinot Noir suitable for making this approachable, medium-bodied, and fruit-driven wine from this notoriously fiddly grape variety.

All the grapes are from this 80 hectare site situated near the Martinollet River, from where the Chateau bears the name. Martinolles is a picturesque, idyllic vineyard influenced by the Mediterranean climate and cooling breezes from its proximity to the Pyrenees. The grapes grown here are largely used for the production of the sparkling wines Cremant and Blanquette de Limoux. Of which Pinot Noir is a constituent grape in the Cremant. It makes sense to put this grape to work and produce a still wine too as the Limoux area is fast becoming known as a top region for Pinot Noir outside of its spiritual home, Burgundy.

This is an incredibly good value wine and a personal favourite for everyday drinking.