WINE OF THE WEEK: Domaine de Mourchon Séguret Tradition 2017, Séguret Côtes du Rhône, France

£14.99–£16.95, Averys of Bristol , Black Dog Wines (UK)

I’m often surprised by the wines I find I haven’t featured here before. This estate-bottled red Séguret is a case in point. I blame Domaine de Mourchon’s Loubié Rosé, the release of which is always one of the early delights of the new rosé season. Judging by the number of the times I have recommended various vintages (here and here for example), the rosé seems to deflect me from the very good Mourchon reds. Not this time (although I am enjoying the new 2019 Loubié pink). The reds start with a Côtes du Rhône and rise through to two Family Réserve Ségurets and a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 2018 Côtes du Rhône is very good but I always particularly like the Tradition (65% Grenache, 35% Syrah), which combines southern Rhône generosity and body with an energising spring in its step. The 2017 also shows lovely intensity/concentration of summer-pudding fruit, garrigue, spice, delicate smoky notes and velvety suppleness. If we get chilly evenings, it’ll be perfect with a casserole or roast, but it’ll be just as good accompanying barbecued vegetables in warmer weather. And it needn’t be this year’s barbecue. It can be kept a few years: I enjoyed a 2015 a couple of months ago. The extra lift and energy means that you can even serve it a little cooler than you would expect for a southern Rhône. 14.5% To give a little background: the vineyards are on terraced, hillsides at an average of 350m and the vines are old (an average age of 40 years for the Tradition). These are a great starting point for quality, but it’s the McKinlay family, owners of Mourchon since 1998, and their winemaker of 20 years, who bring out the potential.

Domaine de Mourchon Séguret Tradition 2017, Séguret Côtes du Rhône Villages, France

£14.99, Averys of Bristol (it's not on the website at present, call 01179 214146); £16.95, or £15.95 if you buy 6, Black Dog Wines

#wine #France #Grenache #Syrah #red