Biodynamic French Trio

I visited The Winehound in Santa Barbara looking for a good Languedoc Red under $20. I left with three recommendations- each under $20, from a different region and each produced from biodynamically grown grapes.

2010 Domaine de la Louvetrie (Landron & Fils) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sue Lie
The first label of famed Muscadet producer Jo Landron. Landron's wines are farmed biodynamically, hand plowed and hand harvested. Fermentations begin naturally. The Domaine de la Louvetrie is a blend from several sites and diverse mineral-laden soils.

Tasting notes- Rocky, floral and sharp lime notes through the bouquet. Tangy acid and brine greet the palate and then washes away through a wave of citrus. Sharp but balanced with broadening lingering fruit on the finish. (I really like!).

Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine is not a wine that I drink everyday, so when I decide to pick one up I want it to be special. This definitely fit the bill. Excellent all the way around, and at $15.99 I thought it was a great buy. Sadly I couldn't make an oyster pairing work, but a caprese sandwich filled in quite nicely.

2010 Marie-Pierre Plumet Côtes du Rhône La Cabotte Colline
Grenache and Syrah. From clay and limestone soils in the Uchaux district in the Côtes du Rhône. Farmed biodynamically and aged in vats.

Tasting notes- Blackberry, bread dough and cracked pepper on the bouquet with plenty of black cherry and dried herb on the bouquet. Red fruit and mineral emerge with air and food. Medium body, chalky grainy tannins and a savory medium finish (I like!).

Another good recommendation- outperforming its price point of 11.99.

2010 Borie La Vitarèle Saint-Chinian Les Terres Blanches 
Grenache and Syrah. This is from the Saint-Chinian AOC in the Languedoc. Borie La Vitarèle's estate is on limestone, clay and gravel soils. The wines are biodynamically farmed, de-stemmed, foot crushed and fermented with natural yeasts. The Les Terres Blanches spends a year in barrel and a year in tank with lees disturbance.

Tasting notes- Garrigue, wild oats, rocks, violets and blueberry bouquet. It picks up a hint of dark chocolate on the palate to go along with its savory fruit. Nice focus of flavors with a bit of silkiness to the feel. Fine grainy tannins a finish of mineral fruit. (I like+!)

I really like the depth and breadth of this wine for the price (17.99). Nice focused flavors- a great value. I'll look for more Languedoc reds like this.