2011 Domaine Mucyn, Collines Rhodaniennes IGP, Rhone Red, France.
A brand new producer and wine, a fun discovery, the Domaine Mucyn is a Northern Rhone red from the Collines Rhodaniennes, it is a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Gamay, and it is delicious and easy to quaff. This red comes in at 12.5% and is poised, brightly fruited and very pleasing, imported by Wine Wise (Oakland, CA) mainly for savvy bistros and perfect for by the glass, it makes for an interesting wine and it delivers what you’d expect and a bit more. The Domaine Mucyn comes from 25 year old vines set on granite soils on the rocky slopes not far from Hermitage and Cote-Rotie, a place of great Syrah terroir, but also not too bad for Gamay, which likes the cooler areas along the Rhone River as well. The 2011 Mucyn starts with black currants, mixed floral notes and tangy herbs, mineral and dusty stones leading to a medium weight palate of plum, blueberry, strawberry, cherry and a hint of peach flesh along with lavender oil, walnut, minty herbs, pepper and anise. There is a hint of bacon and earth in the background, but this is a very fruity wine, not sweet mind, but less intense than a pure Syrah would have been, I am really enjoying a season of Gamay influenced wines, and this one is a very nice addition to all that I’ve tried this Fall/Winter, drink from 2014 to 2018.
($17 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive
