Oxymore Shiraz Grenache 2019
- Rich, full-bodied
- France
Oxymore’s story starts only back in 2019, however Thomas Farge’s winemaking history dates back a few generations. During the harvest of 2019, Thomas noted that the vintages were continuing to get hotter in the last decade and with that alcohol levels were rising. He set himself the task to reduce the impacts of climate change that the French Wine industry faced. He looked toward a prominent spearhead for organic and biodynamic viticulture: Stéphane Usseglio, the current owner of Domaine Raymond Usseglio, they met for lunch, sharing each other’s wines, and whilst discussing the important topics of viticulture winemaking, they decided to create a cuvèe together, and alas Oxymore was born.
Profile
Due to the blending of multiple sub-regions of the Rhône, they had to label their wine Vin de Pay, but don’t let this generic name fool you, Thomas and Stephenne have put some of their best fruit forward, to create an exquisite blend, showcasing what the Rhone has to offer. The blend is 65% Thomas Farge’s sixty years old Syrah, planted on shallow granite slopes, 30% Stéphane Usseglio’s sixty years old grenache planted on sandy soils and 5% of Stéphane’s counoise planted on pebbles soils over a bed of red clay. Each variety has undergone it’s own unique winemaking techniques to allow for each grape’s terrior and typicity to shine through. See Jeb Dunnuck’s review below for more on this stunning wine.
Reviews
James Suckling
“Stunningly deep nose of blackberries, wet earth and smoke that conjures up a picture of wind-swept autumnal vineyards after a hot, dry summer. Remarkable elegance and vitality on the full-bodied palate of this expansively aromatic yet very focused red. Quite some tannins, but they’re already well integrated. Long licorice and mineral finish. A blend of 65% syrah with 30% grenache and 5% counoise. Drink or hold.”
It’s cool, we get it, you want to know absolutely everything about this wine. Well here you go, go nuts.
Specs
- Region
- France
- Vintage
- 2019
- Cellaring
- 2032
- Preservatives
- Sulphites
- Alcohol by Vol.
- 14.5%
- Closure
- Cork
- Bottle Vol
- 750mL
- Blend Info
- 65% Shiraz 30% Grenache 5% Counoise
- Serving Temp.
- 14.0°C
Region
France
Looks like this is either a wine sourced from various regions in France or it's from a smaller region that we haven't gotten around to writing about for you yet! If it's the former, well, it's hard to make general comments about a multi-regional French wine. So let's assume it's the latter: we've been lazy. Forgive us, there's only two of us, and we're mere mortals. We'll get round to writing something inspirational about this obscure (hopefully, otherwise we're in trouble) region eventually. Meanwhile, shoot in your suggestions (and your resume?), or just rejoice in the fact that there's something magical about heading off the beaten track and telling your friends all about that amazing grape that grows in the hinterlands of a place that doesn't even make it on the map – or Vinomofo's regional writeup section, at least.