Gaillac Peyrouzelles Causse Marines 2017

Peyrouzelles from Domaine Causses Marines, Gaillac is a deliciously balanced, fruity and floral biodynamic red from old vines grown on fabulous terroir, minimal use of naturally occurring Peyrouzelles, comes from the name of the plot of vines and means pink rocks in the Occitan language because of the pink limestone rocks found in the soils. This blend of local varieties is one of the most drinkable glasses of red you could find and it ages superbly, the oldest bottle I tasted was at 5 years but I suspect some 10 or even 15 year old Peyrouzelles would be absolutely superb.

Situated in Gaillac, Domaine Causse Marines is a 15 hectares wine estate managed by Patrice Lescarret and Virginie Maignien, both winemakers. Patrice studied oenology in Bordeaux and then worked in Sancerre and Provence. After a few years of working conventionally for others, he made the big leap and created his own estate in 1993 by buying 8 hectares of vineyards from a retiring farmer. Virginie was a student of the ESSEC business school who quit everything to enrol in a wine school in Beaune and having met Patrice whilst on a brief training stint at his vineyard never left his side again. The vineyards at Causses Marines are made of very old vines dating back to world war two. Pascal and Virginie mainly grow indigenous grape varieties such as Mauzac, Loin de L'Oeil, Ondenc and Braucol but also have plantings of Syrah. Soils are calcareous limestone on a rocky plateau. The vineyard is Demeter certified biodynamic and their philosophy is simple, look after the land and let the wines make themselves.