{"product_id":"department-66-others","title":"Department 66 Others","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDepartment 66 Others\u003c\/strong\u003e is a full-bodied Roussillon red blend from southern France bottled at 15.2% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2015 vintage earned 90+ points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with reviewer Jeb Dunnuck calling it a \"rich, supple, beautifully textured effort that has classic Maury flair.\" Created by winemaker Dave Phinney — the mind behind The Prisoner — this cuvée was specifically designed to showcase the \"other\" grape varieties grown on his Roussillon estate beyond the flagship Department 66 Grenache.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 15.2%  |  Origin: Roussillon, France (Côtes Catalanes)  |  Red Blend  |  Winemaker: Dave Phinney\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDepartment 66 takes its name from the administrative division — département — of Pyrénées-Orientales in France's Roussillon region, where Dave Phinney sources fruit from old, head-trained vines around Maury. The terroir is dominated by black schist soils with small deposits of granite and limestone in red, rocky ground locally known as argile. This crystalline, heat-retaining schist — geologically similar to Spain's Priorat — reflects daytime warmth back to the vines at night, pushing ripeness while preserving acidity. Yields are extremely low, averaging roughly half a ton per acre, producing dark and concentrated fruit. The 2018 vintage blends 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 5% each of Carignan, Lledoner Pelut, and Mourvèdre. The wine ages for 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels followed by an additional five months of bottle aging before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with brooding dark fruit — boysenberry, marion berry, and blue-toned compote — layered over wet slate and dark chocolate. Beneath those primary notes, dried lavender, garrigue, and a subtle red leaf tea quality emerge as the wine breathes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The palate is expansive on entry, with a wave of ripe black and red berry fruit framed by grainy, structured tannins. At mid-palate, star anise, confectioners' chocolate, and black rum cake flavors develop alongside a schist-driven mineral streak. The texture is rich and velvety, carrying weight without losing definition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is long and cedar-kissed, with lingering dried herb and dark chocolate notes tapering slowly. A thread of bright acidity keeps the conclusion balanced despite the wine's considerable body.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Others\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiven its 15.2% ABV and dense structure, this wine benefits from 30 to 60 minutes of decanting and is best served slightly below room temperature, around 60–65°F. It drinks well on its own or alongside rich food. In a \u003cstrong\u003eSangria Roja\u003c\/strong\u003e, the concentrated dark fruit and spice carry through citrus and brandy without losing character. A \u003cstrong\u003eKalimotxo\u003c\/strong\u003e — the Basque red wine and cola cocktail — works surprisingly well here, as the wine's intensity and sweetness hold up to dilution. For a French spin, use it in a simple \u003cstrong\u003eVin Chaud\u003c\/strong\u003e (mulled wine) where the existing chocolate and spice notes amplify warming winter aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImpressing a dinner party with a bold, conversation-starting French red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates old-vine Roussillon or southern French blends\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with hearty winter dishes like braised short ribs or cassoulet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExploring Dave Phinney's winemaking beyond his California portfolio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Others taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Department 66 Others delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by ripe dark berries, boysenberry, and dark chocolate, with underlying garrigue, dried herbs, and a mineral edge from schist soils. The texture is velvety with firm tannins and a long, cedar-laced finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Others compare to the flagship Department 66 Grenache?\u003c\/strong\u003e The flagship D66 is a Grenache-dominant expression that foregrounds that single variety, while Others was created specifically to highlight the estate's supporting cast — Syrah, Carignan, Lledoner Pelut, and Mourvèdre — blended with Grenache. The result is a darker, more structured wine with additional tannic grip and spice complexity compared to the pure Grenache bottling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Others good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — its layered aromatics, velvety texture, and long finish make it a rewarding wine to drink neat, though decanting is recommended to let the dense structure open up and reveal secondary herb and mineral notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Others made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Department 66 Others is produced in the Roussillon appellation of southern France, specifically from vineyards around Maury in the Côtes Catalanes sub-appellation of the Pyrénées-Orientales département. The vineyards sit on black schist soils at the eastern edge of the Pyrenees.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Others?\u003c\/strong\u003e Braised lamb shanks complement the wine's dark fruit and garrigue character. Duck cassoulet matches its weight and herbal complexity. Aged Comté or Manchego cheeses echo the mineral, savory notes. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa tones on the palate. Grilled merguez sausages work particularly well, bridging North African spice with southern French terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Others come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Department 66 Others is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Others worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Others positions as a mid-premium Roussillon red, sitting above everyday southern French blends but below top-tier Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Priorat bottlings. With 90+ points from Wine Advocate, old-vine fruit, and 18 months of French oak aging, it delivers notable concentration and complexity for its price tier — strong value for a wine of this structure and pedigree.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Others?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat separates Department 66 Others from the crowded field of southern French reds is the combination of extreme terroir and deliberate winemaking intent. Half-ton-per-acre yields from gnarled, head-trained vines rooted in heat-retaining black schist produce a level of concentration that most Roussillon bottlings at this price point simply cannot match. Dave Phinney built this cuvée to give varieties like Syrah, Carignan, and Lledoner Pelut — often relegated to blending roles — a showcase of their own alongside Grenache. The 90+ score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate confirms the result: a dark, finesse-driven wine with unmistakable Maury character and serious depth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Department 66","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49819090747530,"sku":"32754","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0624\/7117\/6330\/files\/Department-66-Others__89902.jpg?v=1785427468","url":"https:\/\/bottlestork.com\/products\/department-66-others","provider":"BottleStork","version":"1.0","type":"link"}