2014 Segna de Cor, Roc des Anges

This almost pallindromically named Mediterranean red is a concrete tank-aged blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah grown on shale.  Coming from a blend of some of the estates younger vines.

"Marjorie Gallet and her “Rock of Angels” estate – for much more about the extent and evolution of which, consult my previous reports – continue to develop a distinctively attractive style reflecting an expanded range of bottlings in both red and white wines.... Roughly half of Gallet’s organically-tended vineyards are now being plowed by horse; and the couple – with in her case an equestrian background – are now understudying this art with one of the few remaining local practitioners (active in that capacity since age 14) and planning to invest in two plow-horses of their own, once there is room to house them in a new winery that is on the drawing board, to be built on the road from Latour-de-France to Montner. (The Gallets’ cellar facilities in the center of Montner are strained to accommodate their crush and barrels.) Gallet believes that plowing is critical to getting the most out of the fine-grained – as she aptly puts it, “couscous-like” – microbial-rich soils she has worked so hard for the last eight years to build in sites most of which were heavily treated with pesticides and herbicides before she acquired them. Above, she deems plowing critical to forcing vine roots to grow straight and deep, which in her estimation is a prerequisite for optimal canopy and, eventually, ripeness and diversity of flavors without excessive alcohol." David Schilknecht, The Wine Advocate, Jan 2014