Department 66 D66 Others - Dark, Inky, Delicious Grenache Goodness

A beautiful, but high alcohol blend (at an great Costco price) from the Cotes Catalanes appellation in Southern France near Spain, the Department 66 Wines "D66" Others from Dave Phinney.

Primarily Grenache along with Syrah and Carignan from vines up to 65 years of age in the winery's estate vineyards 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.

The Department 66 D66 Others from Dave Phinney (also the maker of the excellent Locations Wines) has an SRP of around $28 but we found it at Costco for just $14.99. It is imported by Pharaon.

From the winery:

Grapes are sourced from the winery’s 300 estate-owned acres in the Côtes Catalanes growing region, a sub-appellation of the Roussillon. Vines range in age from 10 to 65+ years.

Striking a seemingly perfect balance between plushness and precision, the vibrantly crimson colored wine perfumes with cherry cola and fresh flowers while buttressed with brambly garrigue notes and characteristic flinty minerality. Straightforward and compact, the wine opens with bright raspberry and rhubarb and then reveals more nuanced hints of confectioners chocolate, schist, and dried herbs. Ever-present, is a satisfying vein of acidity that perfectly supports the wine's complexity.

15.2% Alcohol

The 2017 Department 66 D66 Others begins with a wonderful aroma of ripe blackberry, black cherry, licorice and violets along with lots of beautiful herbs (garrigue) and spice plus touches of chocolate, coffee and vanilla. It shows a bit of heat too.

The wine tastes big and rich with tons of licorice, cola and oaky spice and features dark fruit similar to the nose. Still showing a bit of heat, it's not quite as good as the last time we tried it (the 2015) but it's also not nearly as expensive at the Costco price.

Oaky spice, licorice and grippy tannins lead into the long, dry finish. The wine continues to show some heat, so if you don't mind that (or enjoy it even) then you'll love this wine.