MAS AMIEL

To continue with Roussillon, a great range from Mas Amiel, as always. It fully deserves its reputation as one of the leading producers of Maury.

2009 Plaisir Blanc, Côtes du Roussillon
A blend of 45% Grenache Blanc, 30% Maccabeu and 15% each of Marsanne and Roussanne.
Quite solid, rich and rounded, with a slightly resinous note on both nose and palate. Layers of flavours. Potential to develop in the bottle.

2008 Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Notre Terre. 13€
One third each of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache. The Syrah and Carignan are fermented in wood, and then blended with the Grenache, and aged in concrete tanks. Lovely ripe fruit. Ripe and spicy with a fresh edge. Rich and elegant. Wonderfully southern.

And then on to the Vins Doux:

2009 Maury Vintage – their best known wine. – 15.50€
Grenache aged for a few months in concrete tanks and then bottled. Intense ripe fruit on the nose. Rich cherry flavours; red fruit and chocolate. Quite intense. Rich and spicy with length, and some alcohol on the finish.

2007 Maury, Charles Dupuy – 32€
Named after the man who established the original reputation of Mas Amiel, when it was the only estate of any note in Maury. A selection of the oldest vines, Grenache that are 50 years old and more. Bottled in 2009. The élevage includes a few months in wood. Much richer and more concentrated on the palate, with a dry edge on the finish. I preferred the simpler wine.

But best of all was 1975 Maury – 50€
The traditional rancio style, Red tawny colour. Rich nutty, with some red fruit and an edge of acidity and a steak of tannin. Still remarkably young. Powerful and elegant. Lots of nuances and complexity. Combines power and elegance. Classic Maury and absolutely delicious.

And to finish. 2009 Muscat de Rivesaltes, a blend of both Muscat a petits grains and Muscat d’Alexandrie. 13€
Ripe and sweet, grapey fruit and the typical slightly bitter finish of Muscat.

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