Domaine Gourt de Mautens
A co-planted blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picardan, Piquepoul Blanc, Piquepoul Gris, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier grown in Rasteau terroir, bottled as IGP Vaucluse. Natural yeasts, fermented in old demi-muid and foudre, bottled unfiltered. Curious nose; fresh, citrusy, slightly waxy, floral notes. Touch of reduction. Full-bodied, acidity on the low side, but real depth and expansive fruit on the mid palate and finish, ending with slightly warming alcohol, but is nonetheless delicious. Distinctly textural, with a tiny patina of superfine tannin. A fine, complex, textural, fresh and beguiling wine.
Domaine des Tours
Current vintage ex-domaine in late 2018. Taking on a uniform pale, copper-gold colour. Linden, subtle pear skin scent. Full-bodied, with some internal sweetness of fruit and honey flavour, ending dry, mineral, with some aniseed. Fairly long, very well-balanced with a firm acid line. Really interesting wine, classic Rhône Clairette, more one to intrigue than one to love. Absurdly good value at less than £15.
Domaine Gourt de Mautens
Already aromatically open and expressive, with black pepper and juniper married with liquorice, raspberry, plum and garrigue herbs. It's full-bodied, but so lively and expressive, with keen, firm acidity, a fairly grand tannic structure and a powerful, grippy finish. Long, powerful, assertive. Very well-balanced, very fine in tannin and structure, powerful and vibrant. The alcohol is of course towards the punchy, but it doesn't taste unbalanced. Just outrageously good.
Domaine des Tours
Still deep in colour, though turning towards a foxy colour. Plum and strawberry, a touch of sweet decay. Touch of tobacco, a little wet bonfire and date. There's a definite sweetness to the strawberry fruit, some sweet alcohol, a touch of liquorice on the finish. Remarkably good acidity, and still very drinkable, good fruit. Not the most complex or harmonious, it doesn't blow you away, but my god it's fascinating for a 15-year-old IGP Merlot from the Rhône.
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Domaine des Tours
Remarkably pale, not far off a rosé. Pure red cherry fragrance, English strawberry, sage. Light- to medium-bodied, good acidity, dry finish, very dry in fact, savoury and slightly herbal. Gentle sucrosité to the fruit, not terribly intense, quite short, but at least authentic and true to the region and producer. Basic stuff, but enough interest to make it worthwhile.