
2011 Maury Mute sur Grains, Clot de l`Origine (50cl)
The Maury Muté sur Grains from Clot de l'Origine is a fortified sweet red wine from the Maury appellation in France's Roussillon region composed of 90% Grenache and 10% Carignan. The term "Muté sur Grains" indicates that fortification occurs while the grape skins are still present during fermentation, enhancing the wine's tannic structure and depth.
"The l’Origine red 2011 Maury – this estate’s first of its kind – was picked from relatively young Grenache vines at the beginning of September. It was not only fortified in the fermentor but was subsequently further macerated and allowed to recommence sluggish fermentation so that the residual sugar finished-up at 72 grams, around 30-35 fewer than one normally encounters from this appellation. Scents and viscous, soothing palate presence of grenadine syrup and cherry liquor are garlanded by sweetly-perfumed wisteria and lily and tinged with lightly-toasted almond and hazelnut as well as salted caramel. This is infectiously juicy, buoyant, and richly nutty for a Maury, all of which characteristics I am inclined to associate with its lower residual sugar that lightens the palate feel and allows for the emergence of nuance. What’s more, there is a polish, sap, freshness and sheer drinkability here that probably also owes something to the absence of sulfur at bottling. “For me, Maury should have a maximum of fresh-fruitedness and no taste of raisins,” says Barriot, and he more than lived up to that standard in the present instance, which I imagine will at the very least serve delightfully through 2018." The Wine Advocate, January 2014