Tradition

AOP Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret

This concrete-aged Grenache/Syrah blend is a classic style that is a pure and honest expression of the terroir and grape varieties. A real taste of place.

Juicy sweet fruit but with structure and amazing freshness…lots of pleasure.
Jancis Robinson

Tasting Notes

This wine is deep garnet in colour with a complex nose of juicy red berries, liquorice, ground pepper and black olive. Ripe and round on the palate, richly textured and balanced with notable freshness and fine tannins. This truly terroir wine will accompany a wide range of ingredients including miso, mushrooms, slow cooked meats and fresh goats cheese. It takes surprisingly well to being chilled in the summer months.

GRAPE VARIETIES
70% Grenache
30% Syrah

TERROIR
This wine is made from vines planted on the three principal terroirs of Mourchon. The early, mid and late ripening fruit each have a nuanced expression of place and contribute to the complexity of the final blend.

AGE OF VINES
40 years

YIELD
35 hl/ha

WINEMAKING
After a long maceration of 3 to 4 weeks, 70% of the wine is aged in wooden vats and 30% in concrete vats for 12 months, with a further 6 months in concrete vats.

AGEING POTENTIAL
5-10 years

CERTIFICATION
Organic

Press

2022
Note : 16.5/20
Transparent crimson with some evolution at the rim. Very sweet, spicy and voluptuous on the nose. Round and polished with just a little herby quality and some very fine, well-managed tannins on the end. Really rather refined. Not as heavy as many of its peers. VGV.
Note : 91/100
Offers an attractive stream of black raspberry and lavender on a plush yet firm frame. Violet, warm brown bread and graphite shaving notes complete the package, with pleasing chewiness on the long, mineral-rich and drawn-out finish. Solid. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2032.
2021
Note : 92/100
Stacks of blackberry and mulberry fruit are married to the generous body with lovely freshness. The rather fine tannins build nicely at the long licorice finish. Excellent energy at the long, powerful yet fresh finish. Drink or hold.
2020
Note : 91/100
The 2020 Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret is rock solid, as always, offering a complex nose of 91 juicy red berries, ground pepper, black licorice, and some sappy garrigue notes. This richly textured, medium-bodied, balanced beauty is well worth a multi-bottle purchase and is going to drink nicely for 5-7 years with no issues. I suspect it’s a great value.
2019
Note : 90/100
Juicy and fresh, featuring a solid range of black cherry, blackberry and anise notes followed by a singed alder accent on the finish. There’s a nice underlying mineral hint too.
2018
Médaille d’argent
Expressive, complex nose of black fruit, spices and vanilla. Fresh on the palate, with notes of stewed fruit, good length and a floral finish.
Note : 91/100
Solidly built and fresh, with black cherry and plum puree notes streaming through, inlaid with a graphite edge and backed by anise and black tea accents. Drink now through 2025.
2017
Note : 92/100
The 2017 Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition is full-bodied, creamy and lush in the mouth, yet it remains lively, energetic and long on the finish. It’s dark-fruited and spicy, with hints of mocha, clove and allspice that linger on the finish. The assemblage is 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Carignan.
2016
Note : 91/100
The 2016 Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition is much more flattering young than the 2015, offering hints of stone fruit and licorice to go along with black cherry flavors. It’s medium to full-bodied and supple, with a long, velvety finish. It should drink well on release and for another 5 years or more.
2015
Note : 15.5/20
Tank sample. 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Carignan. In concrete tanks for 10 months. Tasted blind. Purple crimson. A bit reduced at the moment but there is good fruit concentration for a medium life. Fine tannins and then slight stringiness on the end. Pretty chunky. 14% Drink 2018-2023.
Note : 91/100
Even after 18 months in concrete, the 2015 Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition is tightly wound. A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Syrah, this medium to full-bodied wine offers crisp blackberry flavors and firm tannins. Give it a year or two after release to settle down, and drink it over the next 5 years or more.
Note : 18.9/20
Our tasters gave it a unanimous recommendation with four scores of at least 9. « Yummy raspberries. Finishes long. » My score: 9. « Spicy and peppery. » A routinely recommended wine from the Chronicle’s tasting panel upon release each year, it’s a blend of Grenache (65 percent), Surah (25) and Carignan (10) from Séguret in France’s Southern Rhone Valley. Aging took place in concrete tanks for 10 months.
2014
Note : 90/100
From a somewhat maligned vintage, this is a commendable effort. It’s not as textural as the wine can be in better years, but it shows enough richness to easily carry the attractive leather, mocha and spice flavors. Drink now–2025.
Note : 90/100
A good bolt of graphite drives underneath while lightly mulled plum and blackberry fruit form the core. Singed mesquite and tobacco fill in on the finish. Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. Drink now through 2020. 3,500 cases made.
Note : 90/100
The 2014 Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Tradition is another terrific red that just screams “Southern Rhône!” at the top of its lungs. Saddle leather, peppery herbs, garrigue and assorted street market like aromas and flavors all emerge from this medium-bodied, lightly textured, balanced and character filled effort. It’s not a blockbuster, yet has a great texture, integrated acidity, and a clean, elegant style. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years.
Note : 16+/20
Tank sample. 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Carignan – from 40-year-old hillside vines at 35 hl/ha. Concrete not oak. Very deep crimson. Very rich and broad. Spicy with a hint of tar but no excess sweetness. Still some pretty firm tannins on the palate. I can see why this has not yet been bottled. Obviously very concentrated fruit in here and just a little heat on the end. Needs time still. Serious long-term wine.
2013
Note : 90/100
Shows solid depth and flesh for the vintage, with a hint of singed iron running amid the dark plum and blackberry fruit. Dark anise and bay leaf accents line the finish. Drink now through 2019. 5,000 cases made.
Note : 17/20
65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Carignan, vine age 40 years. A mixture of clay, limestone and grey sandstone on steep slopes. 35 hl/ha. Aged in 100% concrete vats. Smells even darker and more mineral than the Côtes du Rhône 2014, with a dark peppery, stony quality. Dry and super-fine on the palate, lovely texture, restrained and elegant. A distinctive and sharply tailored style. (JH)
2012
Note : 89/100
This has a dark coating of singed alder over a core of plum and blackberry fruit. A bolt of graphite holds the finish down. Solid, and should unwind a bit more with brief cellaring. Drink now through 2016. 6,000 cases made.
Note : 16/20
Tank sample. Dark crimson. Refined and rather ‘cool’. Tastes as though there’s quite a bit of Syrah and Carignan in here. Almost claret-like build – which is not what you expect from the southern Rhône – perhaps their attempt to counteract rising alcohol levels in the local Grenache? Definitely needs food! Dry finish. Firm spine.
2011
Note : 89/100
Ripe and polished, with nice sleek raspberry and blueberry fruit notes that combine with warm fruitcake and dark licorice through the focused finish. Drink now through 2015. 3,000 cases made.
Note : 16/20
40 year-old vines. 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah,10% Carignan. 35 hl/ha. Concrete not wood. I think I must be hyper-sensitive to French Carignan because the meanness on the finish of this wine that I’m convinced is due to the Carignan. But otherwise it is sumptuous. Lovely ripe scents on the nose and some real lift to this. Similar style to the super-sumptuous Grande Réserve 2011 at first but then it goes a bit scrawny. Keep the Carignan out next year, please, McKinlay family!
2010
Note : 90/100
Dark purple. Black and blue fruit and olive aromas are sharpened by notes of cracked pepper and smoky minerals. Shows a suave blend of richness and energy, offering intense blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of candied licorice. A medicinal quality gives a numbing impression to the long, spice-accented finish, which shows just a hint of tannins.
Note : 90/100
Similarly styled, the 2010 Domaine de Mourchon Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Tradition (65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 10% Carignan) is perfumed and complex, with loads of spice, pepper, spring flowers, and black cherry and raspberry styled fruit. Medium to full-bodied and quite rich, with superb concentration and excellent freshness and poise, enjoy this solid value over the coming 5-8 years.
Note : 16.5/20
65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Carignan. 40 year-old vines; 35 hl/ha. Raised in concrete. Brilliant crimson. Lovely combo of leather and spice on the nose. Sweet start and really lively fruit on the palate with just the right amount of acidity, energy and well managed (not drying) tannin. Gamey. Just a hint of reduction but very honest. Fair price.

2009
Note : 91/100
Fleshy and smoky, with enticing mesquite, tobacco and iron notes weaving through the large core of fig and blackberry fruit. The long, smoldering finish has some serious grip in reserve. Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. Drink now through 2013. 2,500 cases made.

Note : 16+/20
Vibrant ruby. Smoky nose with lots of ripe, spicy, tannic fruit that seems to worm its way into your affections. So much tannin it is nowhere near ready. Not juicy; so hot! Approach only with chewy food in hand… Big, alcoholic finish – and I haven’t even tackled this domaine’s 16 percenters yet!
2007
Note : 82/100
There’s undeniable extraction and density here along with quite a full body and ripe tannins. However, excessive reduction makes this one smell a bit too much like a struck match. Decant before serving.
Note : 88/100
Fresh, with floral, red currant and blackberry fruit notes backed by a tangy, mineral-tinged finish. Juicy and racy. Grenache, Syrah and Carignane. Drink now through 2010. 5,000 cases made.
Note : 91/100
A smoking blend of roughly 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 10% Carignan that just screams southern France, the 2007 Domaine de Mourchon Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Tradition, aged all in unlined concrete casks, has beautifully perfumed aromatics of spiced blackberry and cherry pit that are intermixed with notions of saddle leather, lavender, mineral, and garrigue on the nose. This is followed by a medium+ bodied wine that has loads of pure, fresh fruit, a focused, energetic texture, and chewy, broad finish that doesn’t lack for length. I love the typicity and this outstanding value should be purchased by the case and consumed over the coming 4-6 years or so.
Note : 16/20
Bright cherry red. Herby rich nose. Dry finish. Ready but maybe just slightly lacking juice? GV
2006
Note : 87/100
Mourchon’s vineyards are high above the plain, which gives them a unique crisp, spicy character that’s on full display in this 2006. Cranberry and cherry fruit is marked by peppery notes and some slightly hard tannins on the finish. Drink now with beef or lamb.
Note : 88/100
Dark and juicy, with a core of plum, currant and blackberry fruit layered with notes of bittersweet cocoa, fruitcake and hoisin sauce. There’s also a nice bit of briary grip on the finish. Fresher and purer than the Family Reserve. Drink now through 2009. 3,000 cases made.
Note : 16.5/20
Wonderfully juicy, super-fruity bargain that sees no wood, only concrete. Made by the McKinlay family who have done a great, restorative job on this property recommended to them back in 1998 by Mark Savage MW. It had no winery but extremely promising terroir.
2005
Note : 90/100
Dark and chewy. Shows licorice root, tar, chestnut and currant paste notes on a broad-shouldered frame, with a big, mouthfilling finish. Has lots of stuffing. Should age nicely. Drink now through 2009. 2,500 cases made.
2004
Note : 88/100
Medium ruby with a bright rim. Ripe, powerful aromas of dark cherry, creme de cassis, plum and grilled meat. Round, chewy and deep, with lush flavors of cherry compote and plum. The broad, ripe finish features dusty tannins and lingering notes of ripe cherry, espresso and garrigue.
Note : 88/100
A touch reduced, but with a strong beam of raspberry and blackberry fruit working through it, supported by briary tannins and finishing with cocoa and herb notes. Let it flesh out in the cellar a bit first. Drink now through 2007. 2,915 cases made.
2003
Note : 89/100
Medium ruby. Musky dark cherry, plum jam, chocolate and licorice aromas, with a hint of garrigue Lush and velvety on the palate, with impressively sweet blackberry and cassis flavors gently buffed by round tannins. This boasts good power and depth. Finishes warm and supple.
2001
Note : 89/100
Rich, almost voluptuous, with lots of raspberry and blackberry fruit, and ample bittersweet chocolate, espresso, game and mineral notes. There’s a ton of toast here too, but it’s well-integrated. Not as rich as the Grande Réserve, but better harmony. Drink now through 2007. 3,000 cases made.
1998
Note : 88/100
Well-made, medium-intense ’98, beginning to show some complexity from age, such as wet earth, leather, iron, game and truffles, along with black fruit. Tannins firm up on the finish, so could still use some cellaring. Best from 2005 through 2010. 5,000 cases made.