Les Terres de Fagayra - Op. Nord 2011

A classic type of VDN made from schist-grown grapes; it has a dark chocolate flavor and isn't too high in sugar (85 g), which contributes to its balanced mouthfeel.

Stéphane Gallet, Marjorie’s husband from Roc des Anges, after leaving Mas Amiel—where he had gained valuable experience managing a vineyard that was new to him at the time—set out on his own and immediately began producing some of the most original and accomplished Maurys of our time, the result of impeccable viticulture and winemaking that leaves nothing to chance.

The 2011 Maury Op. Nord remarkably showcases the quality of this small north-facing plot, with far greater complexity and finesse in this vintage than in the corresponding regular cuvée. It features rich notes of cherry, blackberry, smoky black tea, pungent brown spices, cocoa powder, and a floral aroma that adds to its allure. This beautiful wine with a long finish will be worth keeping an eye on until at least 2018.

The Op. Nord vintage gradually developed character in 2011.

Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet, of the Le Roc des Anges estate, embarked on the adventure of natural sweet wines in 2008: with rare inspiration and an extreme commitment to quality, they craft magnificent expressions of schist in their three Maury cuvées. These wines—two reds and one white—transcend the inherent limitations of fortified winemaking by preserving a brilliance and a mineral smokiness, a term that is clearly apt here. They shed new light on a category that is still too formulaic or conventional, and immediately rank among the very best Maury wines. The second star is well deserved this year.