Splurging on a beautiful blend from the Cotes Catalanes appellation in Southern France near Spain, the Department 66 Wines “D66” Others from Dave Phinney.
Primarily Grenache along with Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan from vines up to 65 years of age in Cotes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. The wine is aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months and then another 5 months in bottle before release.
Sample submitted for review. The Department 66 D66 Others from Dave Phinney (also the maker of the excellent Locations Wines) has an SRP of $25 (Saturday Splurge) and is available for as low as $23. Imported by Bloodlines.
Sourced from vineyards around the Orin Swift winery in Maury, France. The small town of Maury is in the outer Roussillon very close to the Spanish border and nestled in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Many vines are 60+ years in age.
The terrain is dominated by black schist with a couple small deposits of Granite and Limestone in red rocky soils known as Angile. The schist is a crystalline rock based soil that retains heat well but is poor in organic nutrients and nitrogens.
15.2% Alcohol
The 2015 Department 66 D66 Others begins with a wonderfully intoxicating aroma of ripe blackberry, black cherry and violets along with lots of beautiful herbs (garrigue) and touches of chocolate, coffee and vanilla. The wine tastes big, rich and powerful and is filled with concentrated, deep, dark fruit interlaced with lots of cola, licorice and spice. It also has an excellent earthy streak and good acidity. Silky, grippy tannins lead into the long, dry finish. Dark, inky, delicious Grenache goodness indeed!
Ready to buy the Department 66 D66 Others? Check your local retailers.
2015 Department 66 D66 Others
Saturday Splurge
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