Department 66 Painted Scars 2021 (750 ml)

Tasting Notes For Department 66 Painted Scars 2021 Department 66 Painted Scars 2021 is a bold, expressive red from Dave Phinney’s Department 66 project in Maury, in France’s Roussillon region near the foothills of the Pyrenees. Crafted from old-vine Grenache and Syrah, this Côtes Catalanes red reflects the area’s dramatic black schist, granite cliffs, warm Mediterranean climate, and naturally low-yielding vineyards. The wine is aged 15 months in French oak barriques and showcases the power, depth, and polished style associated with Phinney’s wines. Deep ruby in the glass, Painted Scars opens with aromas of ripe damson, black plum, blackberry, black fig, wet stone, dark chocolate, espresso, and subtle spice. Full-bodied and intense, it offers broad fruit, gentle tannins, earthy minerality, cacao, and a long, energetic finish. Pair it with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, barbecue, roasted mushrooms, aged cheeses, or richly seasoned Mediterranean dishes. Critic Ratings Decanter - Rated 95: This blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah comes from old vines planted in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, which border France and Spain. The label is from Dave Phinney and his Department 66 project in Maury, France. This is a ripe, powerful, full-throttle, hedonistic red wine with a depth as striking as the painted scars on the man's body depicted on the front label. The image was taken from a page in a 19th-century anatomy book. Mexican tattoo artist Dr. Lakra (a.k.a. Jeronimo Lopez Ramirez) used microfibre brushes to apply his iconic tattoo art to the man’s skin. Phinney, a fan and collector of Dr. Lakra’s work, chose this artwork for its captivating details. You could easily get lost in the eyes of the owl or the woman’s gaze on his right-hand forearm; such is the mesmerising quality of the piece. Similarly, you can get lost in this wine and its captivating intensity. A deep ruby-purple in the glass, with magenta tears staining the rim, boasts abundant ripe boysenberry and elderberry aromatics, complemented by lavish new cedar wood. Full-bodied and expansive on the palate, the powerful tannins resolve into refined grains, while plush, satiny blueberry and black cherry fruits are washed away by an intensely iron-like mineral and crushed stone finish. Wine Enthusiast - Rated 94: The nose on this bottling from the foothills of the Pyrenees is well integrated with aromas of black plum, Christmas spices and dark potpourri. The palate is creamy in texture and dense with rich black plum and currant flavors, all layered in wild fennel and light clove flavors that create a licorice-like finish. The acid hangs through the finish. Winery Department 66 Country France Region Cotes Catalanes Year 2021 Grape Varietal Grenache Size 750 ML ABV 15.5% Wine Style Red Wine