Department 66 Pharon 2014

Department 66 Pharon 2014 is a 750ml, 14.5% ABV red blend of Grenache and Syrah from the Roussillon region of southern France. This barrel-selection bottling earned 95 points from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, placing it among the most critically acclaimed wines in its appellation and vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, France  |  Vintage: 2014  |  Winery: Department 66, Dave Phinney

Production & Heritage

Department 66 takes its name from the French administrative department number for Pyrénées-Orientales, the corner of Roussillon where the town of Maury sits amid ancient, low-yielding vines. Under the direction of proprietor and winemaker Dave Phinney, the Pharon bottling is a barrel selection resulting in an even split of Grenache and Syrah, aged in 75% new French oak. That heavy proportion of new oak, unusual for the region, lends the wine a rich, polished structure while the old-vine fruit maintains enough concentration to absorb it.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Smoky, sweet oak leads into powerful waves of black plum, blackberry pie, and vanilla bean. Underneath, violets and freshly cut flowers mingle with a subtle dusting of pencil lead and dried earth.

Taste: The entry is massive and lush, carrying ripe red fruit, black raspberry, and crème de cassis across the palate. Mid-palate, chocolate and peppery spice emerge alongside pronounced minerality. Despite the wine's overt ripeness, beams of acidity keep the profile fresh and lively, giving it a full-bodied yet balanced presence.

Finish: Long and concentrated, with seamlessly integrated tannins that linger well past the last sip. Notes of dark currant, baking spice, and graphite slowly fade, leaving a hedonistic warmth.

How to Drink Pharon 2014

Decant for at least 45 minutes before serving at around 60–65°F to let the oak integration show its best. This wine rewards patient sipping in a large-bowled Burgundy or universal glass. Its bold fruit and structure also make it a striking base for a refined red wine Sangria, a compelling component in a Kalimotxo riff for adventurous hosts, or a dramatic float on a New York Sour where its dark berry intensity and tannic grip replace lighter reds to excellent effect.

Best For

• Gifting a serious red wine collector who appreciates Rhône-style blends
• Anchoring a Southern French–themed tasting flight alongside Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Languedoc reds
• Pairing with a grilled lamb or braised short rib dinner
• Cellaring for further development — the 2014 vintage has structured tannins suited to mid-term aging

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pharon 2014 taste like? It delivers a massive, lush palate of black raspberry, crème de cassis, and chocolate, layered with peppery spice and pronounced minerality, all held together by firm yet polished tannins and bright acidity.

How does Pharon 2014 compare to a top Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Both rely heavily on Grenache and share full-bodied, fruit-driven profiles, but the Pharon's 75% new French oak aging gives it a more overtly polished, oak-influenced texture than most traditionally raised Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. Robert Parker himself noted it competes with the best of the Southern Rhône, and its 95-point score puts it in rarified company.

Is Pharon 2014 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — with proper decanting, this wine shows its best as a standalone pour, where its layered aromatics and long finish can be fully appreciated.

Where is Pharon 2014 made? It is produced by Department 66 in the town of Maury, within the IGP Côtes Catalanes appellation of Roussillon in southwestern France, near the Spanish border.

What foods pair well with Pharon 2014? Herb-crusted rack of lamb matches the wine's peppery spice; slow-braised beef cheeks complement its richness and tannin structure; aged Comté or Manchego cheeses echo its toasted oak character; duck confit plays well against the dark fruit concentration; and dark-chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa notes on the mid-palate.

What sizes does Pharon 2014 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Pharon 2014 worth the price? For a wine carrying 95 points from Robert Parker and produced through a selective barrel program with 75% new French oak, the Pharon positions as a premium expression that consistently punches above its price tier relative to comparably scored Southern Rhône wines.

Why Pharon 2014?

The 95-point score from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate is the headline, but the backstory matters just as much: Dave Phinney's decision to barrel-select an even Grenache-Syrah split and age it in a generous proportion of new French oak is an unconventional move for Roussillon, a region more commonly associated with restrained oak use. The result is a wine described in critical circles as "about as sexy and textured as they come" in the 2014 vintage. For drinkers who gravitate toward the power and generosity of top Southern Rhône reds but want something from outside the usual appellations, the Pharon stands as one of the most compelling values in its scoring bracket.