Wines from lunch with Chateau Mas Neuf (Costieres de Nimes) winemaker Luc Baudet at Le Souffle at the Fort.
Chateau Mas Neuf Tradition White 2007 - Grenache Blanc 65% vinified in stainless steel and 35% Roussanne vinified in used Yquem barrels. Light gold. Light honey on the nose. Subtle flavors. Generally dry with a slight butterscotch on the finish. Friendly, easy wine.
Chateau Mas Neuf Tradition Red 2007 - Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre/Carignan. Dark. Chocolate on the nose but a rather dry wine. The sweetness on the nose blows off after some vigorous swirling. Some heat. Firm wine but not tannic. A good drink now.
Chateau Mas Neuf Compostelle Red 2005 - Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre. Fruity nose. Very dry. Has some depth and is quite spicy. Not really giving too much now. Maybe needs some decant time or a year or two more in the bottle.
Chateau Mas Neuf Armonio 2004 - Classified as VdP d'Oc as this has Merlot and Cabernet aside from Grenache. A joint effort with the Mitjavilles of St. Emilion's Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf. The Bordeaux grapes have been on the Mas Neuf property for many years, though. I was told that even Chateau Rayas has some old Merlot vines from which they make a very limited amount of wine. Extremely dark. Good nose featuring menthol and ripe berry. Quite modern in style. Ripe and a bit oaky and very tannic. This needs maybe another 5 years to be approachable. Coffee and mocha flavors dominate now. Excellent wine with good complexity.