The 2023 Domaine Pouderoux Maury is a fortified “vin doux naturel” from the tiny Maury AOC in southern France’s Roussillon, made from 100% old-Grenache noir vines farmed organically (with biodynamic practices adopted recently).
It’s garnet-red in colour, and on the nose delivers ripe red and black fruits - think cherry, blackberry and plum - alongside deeper notes of chocolate and prune, giving an immediate sense of richness and seductive sweetness.
On the palate, it’s full-bodied and well structured: the sweetness is balanced by warm alcohol, soft but present tannins and a plush core of red berries, dark fruit, and a gentle hint of cocoa or dark chocolate. Because Maury wines are fortified and sweet (in the style of a light-to-medium-bodied port-style wine), this 2023 Maury works beautifully as a dessert wine - excellent with dark chocolate desserts, chocolate mousse, fruit-based desserts, or rich patés.
It’s approachable now, but wines from Pouderoux with good balance tend to retain their character - a few years’ bottle age will only deepen complexity and integration of fruit, spice, and warmth.
