Mas Carlot | Les Enfants Terribles | 2012 | $16.99

I don’t shy away from big, luscious wines during the summer, I enjoy full bodied wines all year.  The Mas Carlot 2012 is becoming one of my ‘go-to’ wines because of it’s superb lushness for under $20.

I usually drink this satisfying wine from Nîmes (southern France) after a long day at work when I’m craving an affordable luxury.  A wine that can span a meal from a main dish such as slow roasted lamb or duck with raspberry sauce, to desserts like chocolate cake.

Mas Carlot is on the heavier side of a medium to medium heavy bodied wine but not flabby or overly sweet at the end which makes it great by itself or with a dessert.  It has structure and softness at the same time so It doesn’t ‘need’ anything but plays well with food.

– Jason

From domaineselect.com:

About:

Under the Provençal sun, Mas Carlot is a beautiful oasis of rustic charm. Its foundations date back to the 17th century, with extensive renovations made in the 19th century, yet the presence of ancient Roman ruins suggests that this land was also being farmed at least 2000 years ago. Paul-Antoine Blanc, owner of Paris’ famous Le Pied de Cochon restaurant in Les Halles, first fell in love with the property in 1986. Paul sold the restaurant and moved here to Bellegarde, tending to the renovations of the winery and cellars. His daughter, Nathalie, followed him two years later after finishing her studies in enology and was transfixed by her new surroundings. She eventually fell in love with Cyril Marès of Mas de Bressades, literally the boy next door, and today, she runs the 75-hectare domaine. Energetic and passionate, Nathalie is regarded as one of the most talented winemakers of the Costières de Nîmes.

Info:

• Product: Mas Carlot Les Enfants Terribles
• Formats available: 750 ml
• Appellation: AOC Costières de Nîmes
• Country: France
• Raw materials: 60% Mourvèdre, 40% Syrah
• SoilType: Rolled pebbles colored by the red clay of Costières
• Exposition: South-east facing slopes
• Average Yield: Mas Carlot limits yields to around 45hl/ha, which is one-third below what the appellation allows
• Vinification: The Mourvèdre and Syrah are fermented separately.
• Region: Costières de Nîmes
• Average Of Vineyards: Vines are up to 60 years old
• Elevation: Vines are planted to 70 meters above sea level.
• Duration And Aging Method: The Mourvèdre and Syrah are aged for nine months, half in tank and half in barrel.
• Alcohol Content: 14%
• Production: 3,000 cases