The Wine Advocate

June 2003 - Robert Parker Jr

GREAT VALUES FOR UNDER $20

Chateau Maris 2000 Minervois
Syrah La Touge - 90 points.

A dynamite value in 100% syrah from one of the finest terroirs in Minervois, this smoky, bacon fat scented wine exhibits good meaty aromas and flavours intermixed with crème de cassis and oodles of sweet fruit. Deep ruby/purple coloured, medium to full bodied and supple textured, this is a tasty high class syrah to drink over next 2 – 4 years.

Château Maris - Carte Noire 1995.

This has been a consistensly fine performer in my tasting of under 10 dollards wines. A deep ruby color, and a big, expressive, carthy, peppery, chocolatey, jammy cherry nose. Spicy with médium body as well as good flesh and fruit, this is mouthfilling, attractive, well-made Minervois to drink over the next 2-3 years.