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  • Nick's Import

2015 Mas des Volques Volcae

Duche d’Uzes, Rhone Valley, FRANCE
$19. 99
Bottle
$239.88 Dozen
Cellar: 4 - 5 Years (2021-2022)
ABV: 15.5%
Closure: Cork

Positioned on the border between the Rhône Valley and the Languedoc, and straddling the mountainous climate of the Massif Central and the gentle Mediterranean climate of the Costieres-de-Nîmes, the AOP Duché d’Uzes is not only one of France’s newest appellations but historically one of it’s most ancient. This rugged region was the birthplace of the Volcae, an ancient Celtic confederation that at one time controlled a vast area stretching from northern Spain to Macedonia.

The Souchon family, who have farmed vineyards in this region for generations sold their fruit to a cooperative outfit for more than 80 years until 2010 when fourth generation Nicolas Souchon (who was also the assistant winemaker at Clos Saint Jean in Chateauneuf du Pape), together with the able assistance of Philippe Cambie decided to produce his own wines. ‘Mas des Volques’ Estate was created and a new winery built with fruit sourced only from the highest quality, older vineyards.

Rich, chewy and hedonistic this is a superb Southern Rhone blend from the outstanding 2015 vintage.

This marvellous red displays spectacular colour saturation featuring an impenetrable inky black core with a deep dark purple black hue. Produced from a blend of 40% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 25% Carignan, with the Syrah and Carignan components aged in barriques for 6 months, it has a lifted nose of black raspberries, blackberries and liquorice followed by black cherry liqueur like notes, inky graphite and spicy earth. Full bodied, enormously rich and hedonistic the palate is flooded with opulent black fruit flavours of raspberries, cherries and liquorice that are almost liqueur like in terms of their concentration and textural presence. Ripe chewy tannins impart some firmness to the back palate with inky earth nuances and plenty of spice ensuing. Power and richness are in abundance with a lengthy spicy black raspberry, black cherry, liquorice, inky earth and pepper aftertaste.
Cellar 4-5 years.
Alc. 15.5%

Other Reviews….
A bigger, richer wine than the Esus cuvee, the 2015 Duché d'Uzès Volcae was still aging in concrete tanks and barrels at the time of my tasting and is made from 40% each of Grenache and Syrah, with the balance Carignan. It offers beautiful black raspberry, toasted spices, hints of barrique and flowers in a medium to full-bodied, seamless and impeccably balanced style. It looks to be another terrific wine from the young Nicolas Souchon, who got his start working at Clos Saint Jean in Chateauneuf du Pape.
90-92 points
Jeb Dunnuck – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate