We are in Maury, a region celebrated for its rugged beauty and rocky vineyards. Accompanying me is Richard Case, who creates wines for his own estate, Domaine Pertuisane, and also for Dave Phinney’s Department 66.
Richard and his wife, Sarah, embarked on their winemaking journey in 2002 by acquiring a few hectares of old vine Grenache. They expanded their holdings the following year by adding an additional eight hectares. Maury’s stunning black schist soils are poor and bony, contributing to the unique character of the wines being produced here.
As 2024 was a short vintage, Richard sought out additional fruit this year, allowing us to taste several cask samples from current productions:
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Green Eggs & Vin 2024: This wine, composed of 70% red grapes and 30% white, showcases floral aromas and sweet cherry and berry fruit. It’s rich and expressive, earning a score of 94-96/100.
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Nebbiolo 2024: Comprised of 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Grenache from granite soils, this blend is ripe and textural, with a fine, ethereal quality. Scoring 94-96/100, it is bright and supple.
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Ribs 2024: A Grenache from red clay, this wine is juicy and focused, interlaced with floral notes, scoring 93-95/100.
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Grabielle Grenache 2024: This third harvest from a specific clonal selection has beautiful floral notes and sweet black cherry fruit, rated at 93-95/100.
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Croix Blanc/Coutibe/Rigole 2024: Drawn from three old vine vineyards in Maury, this warm and spicy wine, with hints of pepper and garrigue, scores 95-96/100.
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Final Draft 2024: Featuring Cabernet Sauvignon at 16% alcohol, this wine presents lovely blackcurrant fruit alongside spiciness and a supple finish, also rating at 93-95/100.
In addition to the cask samples, we tasted a selection of bottled wines:
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Pompier Grenache 2023 Côtes Catalanes: At 15.5% alcohol, this wine sourced from Maury’s schists is rich with notes of damson, chocolate, and bright fruits. It finishes sweet and supple, scoring 94/100.
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Green Eggs & Vin 2022 Côtes Catalanes: This aged in old oak exhibits warm spices, a finely structured palate, and mineral elegance, rated at 94/100.
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Le Nain Violet Grenache 2023 Côtes Catalanes: A 100% Grenache from old vineyards, it is bold and concentrated with a balanced richness, scoring 95/100.
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Final Draft Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Côtes Catalanes: With a pure and long palate, this wine offers depth and finesse, scoring 95/100.
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Department 66 Painted Scars 2021 Côtes Catalanes: Comprising 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, this debut vintage is brooding and intense, earning a score of 93/100.
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Department 66 Painted Scars 2022 Côtes Catalanes: A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, this wine is floral and expressive, rich in flavor, and rated at 94/100.
You can learn more about their wines at Domaine Pertuisane’s website.