« Wine critics can make or break a reputation », says Caryl Panman of Chateau Rives-Blanques. « They offer wine growers like us a unique opportunity to place our wines in the context of the greater, overall international picture. The opinion of people like Jancis Robinson – informed, incorruptible, and exceptionally talented – really matters, and is only a good thing … particularly when they profess to like the wines of Limoux! By the same token, and in our case specifically, the positive opinion of La Revue du Vin de France’s Antoine Gerbelle ‘saved’ our 100% mauzac. We need good critics, for our own good. »