Rasdu Causse Marines 2018

Rasdu Causse Marines, biodynamic wine, 100% Duras, local variety to the Gaillac and Southwest France, outstanding intensity, opulence and smooth black fruits on nose and palate. The warm 2018 vintage has created a stunning wine.  Although at 15% abv, this is not for quaffing.  Duras is a grape only really grown in the Tarn region of Southwest France to the north east of Toulouse.  It tends to be blended with other grapes like Fer Servadou but in Gaillac, it can be found as a single varietal.  Causses Marines make a single Duras only in the good vintages as in 2018.  When they make it, we are very fortunate because it is gorgeous wine.  Its natural peppery flavour and tannins are softened by the warmth of the dark fruits and rich texture.  Super duper, gorgeous wine for winter with any winter food.

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%.