Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Always a brilliant value as well as a terrific wine, the 2021 Maury Sec Serge & Marie is based largely on Grenache yet includes one-third Carignan. Black cherries, darker raspberries, dried violets, loamy earth, pepper, and sandalwood all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, soft tannins, and a great finish. This cuvée always shows the perfumed, riper style of Maury yet never comes across as heavy or cumbersome, and if anything, this 2021 could easily be mistaken for a beautiful Pinot Noir. It's perfect for enjoying any time over the coming 7-8 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Currently sitting at 60-40 Grenache and Carignan, the 2021 Maury Sec Serge & Marie is a deeply colored, raspberry and cherry-scented wine with ample concentration, a rich, smooth, mouthfeel and long, silky finish. Producer Dan Kravitz admits there is one lot of Carignan that might get pulled from the blend, but presumably, that would only improve it.
Barrel Sample: 89-91
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
A northern point in France’s far southern Roussillon region, Maury is dominated by steep limestone cliffs and the castle of Queribus, which the French used as a defense outpost against the Spanish until 1659. Today it remains an important symbol of the presence of both cultures in the region.
Though Maury is famous for vins doux naturels (a style of fortified wine), Maury dry red wines are quickly becoming more in vogue and received their own appellation designation in 2011, called Maury Sec. As is the case in most of Roussillon, Grenache plays a key role here. The region’s schist-dominant vineyards, which climb up to 1,300 feet, are excellent for the production of Grenache of all styles.
For Maury dry red wines, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Syrah act as blending partners with Granche Noir. In the production of vins doux naturels, Grenache Gris and Blanc play a subsidiary role. The latter are characterized using the same terminology as that in Riveslates with those named as grenat or tuilé based on Grenache Noir and those described as ambré or blanc containing more Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris.