Gaillac is an appellation in South-Western France situated about 75km north-east of Toulouse around the city of Albi. Many growers there dumb down their wines by blending in international grapes like Syrah, Gamay, Merlot and the Cabernets but this one is made from two local varieties and shows real character. I tasted Michel Issaly's range at le Salon des Vignerons Indépendants a few years ago and was really impressed both by the man and by what he was achieving mainly with local varieties in both white and red. Other growers following the same path include Plageoles and Causses Marines.
2015 Michel Issaly Domaine de la Ramaye Gaillac Combes d'Avès - France, Southwest France, Gaillac (9/16/2019)
This is exactly what I want from wines of lesser known regional appellations like Gaillac; very distinctive character conferred by terroir and local grape varieties, here Duras and Braucol (AKA Fer Sauvadou or Mansois). It had dense colour and body and burst with savoury comlexioned plum infused fruit together with iron laced earthy minerals, streaks of game and rust, mouth-watering acidity and a firm quite long finish. The closest comparison is Marcillac which uses Mansois but I think that there was more depth and complexity here. Very good.
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