Roc Blanc Syrah Casot des Mailloles 2016

Roc Blanc Syrah Casot des Mailloles 2016, NEW VINTAGE Biodynamic wine, sensational garage wine, Syrah from low yielding old vines, dark berry fruits, firm tense structure, black olive and spices, think northern Rhone in a very hot summer! A really beautiful example of warm climate Syrah where the old vines and the coastal influence help to temper the potential for over ripeness with this variety in the south. It is deliciously firm and elegant, complex and developed but very fresh, still a hint of the funky which makes it all the more appetising, stunning natural red wine.

Le Casot des Mailloles is a 5 hectare estate nestled on the steep walled terraces overlooking the town of Banyuls, in the Roussillon. It is named after the traditional stone shelters that dot the vineyards in the region and was made famous by Alain Castex and Ghislaine Magnier who ran the estate until 2015. The terrain here is steep, all the work is done manually, and the old vines grow have buried their roots deep into the unique dark schist which is found in this area. They are strictly organic and biodynamic in the vines, use natural fermentation and never filter or fine the wines. Sulphites are avoided entirely. After Alain's retirement in 2015, production has been passed on to Jordi Perez, a young winemaker very much in Alain's mould. His first vintage was 2015 and he continues to make wine using the same methods as Alain and Ghislaine. Jordi is young and a very talented wine maker, he is devoted to the Casot style and the integrity of this mystical vineyard but is also putting his own stamp on the wines. They have always carried great emotion and energy. Jordi is aiming to bring to them also an element of precision and elegance which will raise the wines into the realms of the super fine. Already showing very well, the 2016s from Jordie are superb and the new 2018s have a vibrancy that few other wineries in France and the world can match.