2016

ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE

Note : 89-91

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.

JANCIS ROBINSON

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.


ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE

Note : 89-91

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.

WINE ENTHUSIAST

Note : 90

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.


WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 90

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.


JEB DUNNUCK

Note : 90

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.


JANCIS ROBINSON

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.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 90

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.


JANCIS ROBINSON

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)

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 89

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.


JANCIS ROBINSON

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.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 89

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.


JANCIS ROBINSON

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!

VINOUS

Note : 90

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.


JEB DUNNUCK

Note : 90

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.


JANCIS ROBINSON

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.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 91

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.


JANCIS ROBINSON

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!

WINE ENTHUSIAST

Note : 82

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.


WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

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.


JEB DUNNUCK

Note : 91

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.


JANCIS ROBINSON

Note : 16/20

Bright cherry red. Herby rich nose. Dry finish. Ready but maybe just slightly lacking juice? GV

WINE ENTHUSIAST

Note : 87

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.


WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

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.


JANCIS ROBINSON

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.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 90

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.

VINOUS

Note : 88

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.


WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

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.

VINOUS

Note : 89

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.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 89

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.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

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.