Deptartment 66 (D-66) 2022 Painted Scars Rouge

Tasting Notes

94pts Decanter, 93pts Wine Enthusiast
The 2022 Department 66 Painted Scars is a powerful red blend from winemaker Dave Phinney’s estate in Maury, situated in the Roussillon region of southern France. This vintage is a concentrated blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah sourced from old vines rooted in the dramatic black schist and granite soils of the Pyrenees foothills. In the glass, the wine exhibits a dark crimson color with a bright cardinal rim, opening with an intense aromatic profile of ripe damson plum, black and blue fruits, and a savory hint of lamb tagine seasoned with cardamom. On the palate, the entry is broad and commanding, featuring dense layers of blackberry, espresso, and baking chocolate that are supported by tranches of minerality and fresh acidity. The wine concludes with a long finish characterized by puckering tannins and an iron-like mineral note, reflecting its high-altitude, rugged terroir. While it is full-bodied and hedonistic with an alcohol content of 15.5%, its 10 months of aging in French oak—with only 5% being new wood—ensures the fruit and schistous soil character remain at the forefront.