Côté Mas Rouge Intense 2016
An excellent choice for the value minded, the 2016 Côté Mas Rouge Intense is a classic Languedoc-Roussillon blend of 45% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 15% and Cinsault with a splash of Merlot and Syrah. Welcoming aromas of macerated strawberries, cherries, a little funk—forest floor, decomposing leaves, mushrooms, vanilla, and anise grace the nose. In the mouth, […]
Department 66 Others 2015
A sultry blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and Mourvedre Department 66’s 2015 Others red blend opens with enveloping aromas of blackberry, ripe plum, violets, and Garrigue. Plush fruit and softly-textured tannins are held in balance by a rippling chord of acidity. The close is restrained, tinged with the stony illuvium fingerprint of the Pyrénées-Orientals, a […]
Paul Mas Château Paul Mas Coteaux du Languedoc Clos des Mures 2016
From old vines grown in clay and limestone soils the 2016 Paul Mac Clos de Mûres is a substantive blend of 83% Syrah, 12% Grenache, and 5% Mourvedre. The rim is vibrant blue-violet, with fresh, penetrating aromas of boysenberry, wild blueberry, and plum followed by a top note of cocoa powder and black licorice. Chalky […]
Côte Mas Blanc Méditerranée 2016
The 2016 Côte Mas Blanc Méditerranée is an inviting blend of 35% Grenache Blanc, 25% Vermentino, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Sauvignon Blanc It’s a pretty blend with vivacious aromas of Asian pear, star fruit, lemon drop, lemongrass, and spring flowers. Round on the palate, with a core of juicy yellow fruit nicely offset by bright […]
Côté Mas St. Hilaire Crémant de Limoux Brut NV
Aged sur point for twelve months, the Côté Mas Brut St. Hilaire is a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, 10% Pinot Noir, and 10% Mauzac crafted from vines planted in clay and limestone soils at elevations between 820 and 920 feet. In the glass, it’s the color of onion skin and is generously […]
Department 66 Fragile Rosé 2017
Orin Swift winemaker Dave Phinney’s latest project is Department 66, a collection of sleekly packaged wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon. His 2017 Fragile Rosé is salmon-hued with expressive aromas of white peach, cherry blossom, field-ripened strawberries, and orange zest. There is more concentration on the palate than the nose belies, with ample depth and fruit at […]
M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc 2017
Once again, M. Chapoutier’s 2017 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc exceeds expectations for its modest price point. This approachable blend 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne, 20% Macabeo, and, yes, 10% Vermentino is crisp and bright with wafting aromas of d’Anjou pear, yellow apple, and lemon drop, followed by top notes of lemon […]
Department 66 D66 2014
Dave Phinney’s latest project is Department 66, this bottling, a sublime blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from France’s Maury AOC—a region famous for its fortified Vin Doux Naturel wines, not its still wines. And the D22 did not disappoint—it’s a powerhouse—a deep dive into blueberries, blackberry crumble, charcuterie, baker’s chocolate, anise, and mountain herbs […]
Les Domaines Paul Mas Vin de Pays d’Oc Côté Mas Aurore Rosé 2017
Like a favorite pair of worn-in jeans, this is the rosé to turn to in a pinch and on a budget, and priced to please, the 2017 Côté Mas Aurore Rosé is pale salmon in the glass and hits all the right notes for a South of France pink. Summer berries, melon, white peach and […]
Domaine La Tour Vieille Rimage Banyuls 2012
‘Tis the season for fortified dessert wines, and Banyuls is, of course, no exception. This budget-friendly Kermit Lynch import from Domaine La Tour Vieille offers up a welcome bouquet of plums, prunes, sultana, and dark chocolate shavings. Composed of 45 year-old Grenache and Carignan vines grown in schist soils, it’s full-bodied and somewhat one-dimensional on […]