2017

Decanter

95/100 – Outstanding

“Domaine de Mourchon is nestled in the heart of the Rhône Valley, not far from the medieval village of Séguret. Founded in 1998 by Walter McKinlay, who was joined by winemakes Sébastien Magnouac in 2000, today the winery encompasses 35 ha and produces 150,000 bottles a year. Terroir is an important factor at Domaine de Mourchon, being categorised into three differing types: Sausse (early ripening), Loubié (average ripening) and Mourchon (late). This Loubié rosé is from vines planted on a mix of clay, limestone and grey sandstone at an altitude of 320m, and it’s a 60/40 blend of Grenache and Syrah. Elisabeth Gabay MW: Fresh honey ripe fruits on the nose which follow onto the palate, along with sun-ripened red fruits, cherries, peaches and freshly picked raspberries with beautifully balanced acidity. Andy Howard MW: nice depth and richness on the palate with bright red/black berry fruits and good acidity to balance. There are extra layers of flavour here too. it’s well made and has enough concentration to last. Joanna Simon: Ripe strawberry aromas and strawberry fruit on the palate, which is full and smooth with attractive spice and a hint of honey, ending on a leafy, vibrand freshness.”

WINE OF THE WEEK: Domaine de Mourchon Loubié Rosé 2017, Séguret Côtes du Rhône Villages, France

July 12, 2018  | Joanna Simon

£10.95–£13.99, The Wine Society, Exel Wines, The Black Dog Wine Co (UK), Averys of Bristol

The McKinlay family’s Loubié rosé, is always mouthwatering, but the 2017, which they bottled earlier than usual, is better than ever – brimful of wild strawberry, spice and cherry aromas, bright strawberry-soda and red-apple fruit shot with cranberry and rosemary, and finally a lingering, leafy freshness. I first tasted it at the end of February and then again in mid-May, blind, when it was one of the three top-scoring wines out of a total of 93 in Decanter magazine’s ‘French rosé beyond Provence’ tasting (results out now, August issue). The grapes are all from the domaine, which sits between the pretty hilltop village of Séguret and towering Mont Ventoux, and the 40-year-old Grenache and Syrah vines that produce the rosé grow at 320m, a height which captures daytime sunshine and cooling nights. It works equally as an aperitif or with food – Greek or Turkish meze, herby fish or chicken, veal chop, barbecued vegetables or charcuterie. And you can always follow it up with one of the majestic Mourchon reds.

Domaine de Mourchon Loubié Rosé 2017, Séguret Côtes du Rhône Villages, France

£10.99–£13.99, The Wine Society, Exel Wines, The Back Dog Wine Co (UK), Averys of Bristol

2016

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Note : 18,5/20

Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with three scores of 9 or higher. “Juicy fresh red fruit.” My score: 9. “Tart, bright and lively.” Alcohol: 12.5 percent. Varietal/blend: 60 percent grenache and 40 percent syrah. Winery/vineyards: The winery is in Seguret, on the eastern edge of France’s Southern Rhone valley. The 40-year-old vines grow in a mixture of clay, limestone and gray sandstone on fairly steep slopes. Winemaking: Winemaker Sébastien Magnouac has been in charge of the Mourchon cellar almost from the beginning and, through his efforts, the Loubié has consistently ranked among the Chronicle panel’s highest-scoring rosés. Winemaker notes: “Aromas of strawberries, citrus fruit and spring flowers. The palate has good acidity, is refreshing, full of fruit and has a good length.” Pairings: Summer salads, ratatouille, spicy Asian food.

JANCIS ROBINSON

Note : 15,5/20

60% Grenache, 40% Syrah from 40-year-old vines at 35 hl/ha. Saignée and direct pressing. Pale lipstick pink. Smells of the fermentation vat but then some recognisably sweet Grenache fruit and a little bite on the end. Richer than many a rosé – probably better with food than as an aperitif. Went well with tomato-based pasta.

JEB DUNNUCK

Note : 90

I always love this wine, and I drink plenty every year. The 2016 Loubié Rosé is another Rosé that shows the riper, rounded style of the vintage. Strawberries, watermelon, flowers and rose petal notes all define this medium- bodied, supple, straight up delicious Rosé that will shine on a dinner table, as well on its own on a hot summer day.

LE POINT

Note : 16/20

ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE

Note : 88

The 2016 Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Loubie is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. It’s a crisp, medium-bodied, refreshing rosé, with cherry and raspberry fruit wrapped around a backbone of fresh lime.

VINOUS

Note : 89

Light vivid orange-pink. Mineral-tinged red berry and tangerine aromas, along with hints of dried rose and succulent herbs. Juicy strawberry and bitter cherry flavors are sharpened by a suggestion of bitter orange zest. Taut and focused on the nervy finish, which echoes the orange and herb notes.

WINE ENTHUSIAST

Note : 86

Light to medium in body, this rosé is crisper and tauter than many coming out of the Southern Rhône. Zest citrus aromas lead into flavors of grapefruit, with crushed stone notes reverberating on the finish. Drink now.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

A crowd-pleaser, with plump, forward strawberry, blood orange and peach flavors backed by a rounded, juicy finish. Flirts ever so lightly with an off-dry hint. Drink now. 2,000 cases made.

ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE

Note : 90

The lively, fruit forward and beautifully textured 2015 Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Loubie gives up loads of framboise and herbes de Provence characteristics to go with a medium-bodied, layered, textured, just downright chuggable style on the palate. I’m a fan and it will drink nicely over the coming summer months.

VINOUS

Note : 89

Bright orange. Pungent red berry, orange zest and floral scents are lifted by a hint of white pepper. Smooth, warm and fleshy, offering bitter cherry and raspberry flavors that show good heft and thrust. Finishes with brisk cut and repeating pepperiness, leaving a subtly sweet berry note behind.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

Very fresh, displaying a racy edge as the white cherry, strawberry and blood orange notes zip along, backed by a light tang on the finish. Drink now. 2,200 cases made.

JANCIS ROBINSON

Note : 15,5/20

60% Grenache, 40% Syrah from 40-year-old vines at 35 hl/ha. Saignée and direct pressing. Pale lipstick pink. Smells of the fermentation vat but then some recognisably sweet Grenache fruit and a little bite on the end. Richer than many a rosé – probably better with food than as an aperitif. Went well with tomato-based pasta.

ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE

Note : 90

Another winner from the top estate in Sablet, Domaine de Mourchon’s 2014 Rose Loubie offers lots bubble gum, strawberry and watermelon notes in its medium-bodied, refreshing, balanced and clean personality. This is a classic dry rosé from southern France that will dish out tons of pleasure over the coming 8-10 months. It’s worthy of a case purchase.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

Fresh and pure, this very tasty rosé delivers light watermelon and white cherry fruit notes laced with a savory hint and carried by a lively, pebbly finish. Drink now. 10,000 cases made.

JANCIS ROBINSON

Note : 16/20

60% Grenache, 40% Syrah, vine age 40 years. A mixture of clay, limestone and grey sandstone on steep slopes. 35 hl/ha. Both saignée and direct pressing. Fragrant with Victoria plums, almost a touch floral. Silky smooth and dry. Refreshing and subtle with a fresh finish. I like the very slight tannic grip on the very end – should be good with food as well as on its own. (JH)

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

This rosé offers juicy bitter cherry, blood orange and watermelon notes offset with a hint of cherry pit on the finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases made.

JANCIS ROBINSON

Note : 16/20

Pale rose colour with a hint of orange. Rather a smoky nose that recalls Provence but it’s much heftier on the mid palate and then dry and refreshing on the finish. Lively and round in a Grenache sort of way. A real mouthful of fruit but no sweetness. Well done. But I think I would drink it sooner rather than later.

JANCIS ROBINSON

Note : 15/20

60% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 40 years old at 35 hl/ha. Saignée. Very pale rose colour; no blue tinge. Very, very sweet, almost lolly, and Grenache on the nose. A hint of smokiness but overall a little too sweet and sticky for my taste. Attractive light chewiness on the finish.

JEB DUNNUCK

Note : 90

A outstanding rosé year in and year out, the 2011 Domaine de Mourchon Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Loubié is a classic Provencal rosé that has loads of strawberry, red currants, rose petal, and minerality that pairs up with a medium-bodied, fresh, and crisp palate that still has enough richness and texture to be versatile on a dinner table. Buy it by the case and drink bottles over the coming year or so.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 86

Juicy and upfront, showing muddled notes of watermelon, mint and cherry. Lively finish. Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache. Drink now. 1,250 cases made.

JEB DUNNUCK

Note : 90

An outstanding Rose that hits all the right spots, the 2010 Domaine de Mourchon Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Loubié sports a vibrant pink color to go with a beautiful bouquet of freshly picked raspberries, wild strawberry, well water, rose petal, and touches of underbrush. Fresh, fragrant, and while this is certainly about fruit, there’s solid minerality and precision as well. Medium bodied on the palate with a pure, clean texture, great acidity, and a classy finish, this is hard to put down and is a perfect rose to buy by the case for drinking over the coming 6 to 12 months.

JANCIS ROBINSON

Note : 15,5/20

Modern winemaking nose. Not desperately distinguished.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

This rosé has some weight, but stays focused, with ripe cherry, mulled strawberry and red currant notes backed by a nice stony edge and good zip on the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.

JEB DUNNUCK

Note : 88

A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, the 2009 Domaine de Mourchon Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Loubié sports a bright, translucent raspberry color along with ripe strawberry and candied cherry aromatics. With air, it gives up more spice and herb notes, but the fruit always stays front and center. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied with solid texture, loads of fresh fruit and a clean, enjoyable finish. Drink this delicious, fruit driven rose over the next year or so.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 86

A very elegant, floral style, with pretty cherry pit, rose petal and watermelon notes that linger on the stony finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 86

Fresh and elegant, with watermelon, rose petal and cherry pit notes that stay pure and defined through the finish. Should be solid with food on the back porch. Drink now. 1,600 cases made.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 84

Light and easy, with strawberry and cherry notes backed by a hint of tea on the finish. Drink now. 1,250 cases made.

WINE SPECTATOR

Note : 88

Delicate and perfumed, this is a wonderful lightweight summer rosé that harmoniously marries strawberry and melon notes. Fresh and minerally on the finish. Drink now.