31 products
31 products
- Red Wine
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - Sara d'Amato
A biodynamically-grown blend of grenache (40%), syrah (30%) and mourvèdre (30%) from the schist soils of the hilly, coastal appellation of Faugères. A low-interventionist style fermented spontaneously with 10 months of maturation in stainless steel vats and neutral oak. Clean and juicy with lively red fruit and hints of peppercorn, anise, pine needles, and juniper. Silky tannins and some warmth on the finish point to a riper vintage. Notably complex but effortlessly drinkable. Very good length.Tasted in magnum at Terroirs & Millésimes 2024.
- Red Wine
- Grenache, Samso / Carignan, Syrah
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.50% alc./vol
About the Winery
Clos del Rey
In the foothills of the Pyrénées Mountains, not far from the Mediterranean sea, Clos del Rey is situated in the high altitude hills over the tiny village of Maury. The estate has been owned and farmed by the Montagne family for generations. The vineyard itself is nestled among a protected area of garrigues (rosemary and thyme). The vines of up to 120 years old are allowed to grow natural and untrained, in the old-fashioned way, known as the goblet or bush style. However, it is what lies beneath the vineyard that lends much of the character and complexity found in their wines. Julien Montagne makes complex wines that truly represent his vineyards and his Catalan roots--you can almost smell the sun in the glass.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - John Szabo
An old vines cuvée of grenache, carignan and syrah from the stony, schisty soils of Maury, historically reserved for fortified wine production in the style of port, this Maury 'Sec' is a concentrated and aromatic, flavourful wine, with a liquor-like essence of blackberry and blueberry fruit, sweet and resinous wild herbs, scorched earth and licorice, and more in a highly satisfying and bold ensemble. Tannins are abundant but coated and softened by high fruit extract, while acids are low but adequate to balance the big ensemble. Great length. Immensely satisfying at the price; drink or hold another 4-6 years I suspect without concern. Tasted September 2022.
90 points - Megha Jandhyala
This is a rich, ripe blend from Maury Sec, an appellation in the Agly Valley in Roussillon that was authorized for the production of dry red wines in 2011. The nose is inviting and appealing, with notes of cherry compôte, black raspberries, garrigue, and a subtle mineral aroma that reminds me of wet cement. It is medium-bodied, with grainy, drying tannins and balanced acids. I really like the lush fruit on the mid-palate that recede gracefully, leaving a subtle bitterness and warmth in their wake. Tasted September 2022.
90 points - David Lawrason
The village of Maury is better known for its sweet 'vins doux naturel'. This dry red based on grenache, carignan and syrah shows the energy, or a certain internal combustion, I associate with the carignan grape. The nose is quite lifted with red fruit (raspberry, plum) some spice and minerality. It is medium-full bodied, sour-edged and firmly tannic with some heat. Quite peppery and meaty (charcuterie) on the finish. The length is excellent. Tasted Sept 2022
90 points - Sarah d'Amato
From a relatively new appellation in the southwestern region of Roussillon designated in 2011 to allow producers to craft dry reds in addition to the more famous Vin Doux of Maury. In the midst of all the sweetness of the region, Clos del Rey makes only dry wines. This plush incarnation features flavours of liquored black cherry, a chalky minerality and tender tannins. Ripe but with a lick of minerality that helps to provide balance along with a welcome degree of bitterness. Some bitterness helps curb the perception of alcohol too. An arresting yet youthfully broody wine. Tasted September 2022.
- Rosé Wine
- Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah
- Dry
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Maison Idiart
Maison Idiart is a wine négociant based in Bordeaux and established in 2013. Nicolas Idiart, winemaker and founder of Maison Idiart, grew up with a passion for wine, something that he shared with his father and grandfather.
He graduated from Bordeaux winemaking school in Blanquefort at 19 years old. Nicolas' love for Loire wines took him to work in Chinon, Touraine and Muscadet. He also had experiences in Australia and New Zealand. After several years travelling the world, he decided to shift his work in the industry and work in sales, focusing in North America.
At 33 years old, after 7 years working in sales, he decided to go back to winemaking with an artisan approach, making small batches of handcrafted wines.
- White Wine
- Piquepoul Blanc
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
- White Wine
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - John Szabo, MS
Old vines, rolle, roussanne and grenache blanc, this is subtle and remarkably fresh white wine from the Languedoc, especially considering the hot and complicated 2023 vintage, here registered at just 12% alcohol, but it's not one of those simply early-picked, hot climate whites without flavour. The magic of balanced, old vines, resilient and capable of even quality year after tear. There's pretty extreme sapidity on offer here, a real saline blast of limestone and blinding light, and terrifically lingering finish. One of Brouca's best whites yet, drinking now but no rush - would be interesting to follow this over the next half dozen years. Tasted December 2024.
91 points - Michael Godel
Normandy-born Frédéric Brouca is one of southern France’s experimentally sound winemakers, a master of wine-styling disguise and blender of reds, whites, Rosé and also those suspected of being Rosé. Here he takes on the IGP of Hérault with a three-part blend of grenache blanc, roussanne and vermentino that speaks to the earth beneath the winemaker’s feet. Do not come here looking and surely not demanding fruit. Yes the grapes are the source, are shown the ropes and work to address our wishes but fruitiness is not the matter at hand. Elements of the earth, especially silt and salt to the “soult.” That being the core and soul of what matters in making and delivering honest wine. That this is and in a most unintentionally intentional way. Drink 2024-2027. Tasted December 2024.
91 points - Sara d'Amato
Schist-grown rolle meets roussane and grenache blanc in this cheery blend from the Faugères region of the Languedoc where French sommelier and self-taught winemaker Fréderic Brouca and his Canadian wife Elaine have set down some roots. Brimming with notes of yellow apple, lemon curd, chamomile, wildflower, lemon drop, sea salt, and mineral, this elegant and effortlessly drinkable white is notably complex and authentic. Cleanly made in a low-interventionish fashion using wild yeast and no filtration. Enjoy now in its youtful and expressive condition or hold another 2-3 years in bottle. Certified organic and vegan-friendly. Tasted December 2024.