Mas Amiel Vintage Rouge 2009

Maury is surrounded by the Rivesaltes appellation. The mountains to the north denote the end of Corbières and of the Aube département.Maury is therefore in the Pyrenee-Orientales and thus Catalan in nature. But the Maury appellation is steeped in Cathar history, with the Peyrepretuse and Queribus Cathar stronghold not very far away.

The vintage red Maury is made in the same style as the rimage wines of Banyuls. From 100% Grenache Noir, the vines are cultivated on south-facing broken schist and clay soils that yield only 25hl/ha. Alcohol is added while the wine is still in the vat (a process known in French as 'mutage sur les grains'), slowing down the final fermentation and thus allowing a longer period of maceration which gives the wine greater richness.

Luxuriously rich and sweet, with masses of red fruit on the nose. It has a curiously burnt element on the palate, and is very long and concentrated, with a lovely cherry finish. Gentle tannins help to bring the sweetness into check.