7 Souris Syrah Causse Marines 2015

7 Souris Syrah Causse Marines, old vines, outstanding terroir and unique sensibility from an outstanding wine maker in Patrice Lescarret.  So the top end wine from Causse Marines, generally made with no added sulphur although that is not shouted about by Patrice.  For him, putting wines in neat categories with concise flavour profiles is not his way.  What matters is the taste and the authenticity of what he does.  So, 7 Souris Syrah tastes delicious, no, actually gorgeous and is 100% pure Syrah in all its glory.  And the name you ask, 7 Souris, or seven mice, well, like the other wines in the range, Patrice likes playing on words with the names.  Syrah, six rats, 6 rats, nope seven mice, good hey.

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.  He bought 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.  After having met Patrice whilst on a brief training stint at his vineyard she never left his side again.

The vineyards at Causse 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.  They also have some old vine plantings of Syrah.  Soils are calcareous limestone on a rocky plateau. The vineyard is Demeter certified biodynamic.  Their philosophy is simple, look after the land and let the wines make themselves.

Patrice Lescarret is one of our favourites.  He has just bought a small 'Mas' or farmhouse in the Pyrenees just south of Jurancon; in his words 'to escape'.  He is a man after our own heart, at one with nature and always in pursuit of honesty and authenticity in his life.  His delicious, imperfect wines reflect his philosophy 100%.