Winemaker's Notes

Solid dark-ruby in color, the nose leaps from the glass with aromas of black fig, bitter chocolate, graphite and dried herbs. A big, dense entry leads through a seamless mid-palate showing classic old-vine grenache characteristics of damson plum, licorice and chocolate while maintaining a mineral spine. The finish is very long and satisfying with gentle, ripe tannins.

About the Winery

In 2008, following the sale of The Prisoner, Dave Phinney took friends up on an offer to visit the small town of Maury in the Pyrenees mountains in the South of France. Situated two hours northwest of Barcelona in the Roussillon wine region, Maury is home to black schist soils, granite peaks and blustery Tramontane winds that produce concentrated Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan.

Dave returned from the trip with deeds to 40 acres of old vines with a plan to build a winery and produce some of the best wines in the world. The purpose became known as Department 66.

Wines from Department 66 show off the terroir of Maury and the surrounding Agly Valley paired with Dave Phinney’s signature drinkability and rich concentration.

Blend : Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan