As I have been sojourning in France this summer, the Volvo folks allowed me to take the 2015 Volvo XC60 out for a few weeks in order to discover the French countryside. Some changes this year included a new engine for the XC60s with front-wheel-drive and the addition of the name "Drive-E." The T-5 and T-6 Drive-E engine options are noticeable changes along with a new eight-speed automatic transmission too.
For the consumer looking for the perfect compact luxury crossover, these additions mean that the Volvo brand has even more charm. This coupled with an all around best in show and you'd be hard pressed to find a better vehicle for the road.
Seating five people, there are six trim levels on the 2015 XC60 each affiliated with the engine and drivetrain; the T5 Drive-E, 3.2 AWD, T5 AWD, T6 Drive-E, T6 AWD and T6 AWD R-Design.
If you are opting for an upgrade package on your Volvo XC60 there are plenty to choose from beginning with the Premier package adding keyless ignition and entry, panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming mirror and digital gauges.
For the Premier Plus package there is the addition of a rearview camera, power-folding mirrors, liftgate and folding rear headrests. There is also a folding front passenger seat and trunk-mounted grocery holder.
Safety has always been top on the list at Volvo so it is no surprise that the 2015 Volvo XC60 is well equipped. Some of the optional safety items have also become standard this year like the Sensus Connect system and the Volvo's On Call telematics system, the latter is standard on the T6 and R-Design and an offering on the Premier package.
Keep in mind too that some additions were added to the mid-year 2015 models so not all navigational and safety features are the same, look for the Convenience and Proximity packages, which will also give you a variety of amenities like power-folding mirrors and headrests, a cargo cover or the Proximity package with keyless ignition and entry and a power-tailgate with rearview camera.
Other safety inclusions on the 2015 Volvo XC60 include traction and stability control, antilock brakes, whiplash-protection front seats, front seat side and full-length side curtain airbags as well as the City Safety system with automatic braking if a collision is detected. On the Technology package you will get a frontal collision warning system with the automatic braking that detects not only pedestrians, but also cyclists as well as automatic high beams and a driver-inattention warning system and lane-departure warning.
Heading to the city of Pezanas and the Paul Mas winery I had been told about the wine and I thought it was likely good, it's French, but how is it different.
When I visited the estate in the Langeudoc I knew the answer straightaway.
Then to make it even more perfect I stayed in nearby Pezenas, which is officially favorite French city, period.
But let's get back to the wine first since it was the Paul Mas folks who not only introduced me to this lovely little city, but also some really astounding wine that is still tingling my taste buds as I write the memories.
To begin, we toured the vineyard, which was massive. Actually, for 12 years Domaines Paul Mas has been the go-to reference for South of France wines. The tagline is old world wines with new world attitudes, but the story is about Jean-Claude Mas the owner and winemaker there.
There are seven estates in the Paul Mas family that cover over 1000 acres and about 850 acres are vineyards that spread across the Crus of the Languedoc.
To prove the old world moniker, the story of the Paul Mas wines actually begins in 1892 growing from a then small vineyard to what it is today. With a variety of single vineyard options, reserves, classic Paul Mas labels and blends, I like the way the winemaker easily pokes fun with his Arrogant Frog label including reserves, organics and wines that are as diverse as cabernet sauvignon-merlot, chardonnay-viognier, shiraz, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, viognier and even a dessert wine called Sticky White.
The folks at the Arrogant Frog estate are also keen on sustainable viticulture and apply a variety of soil management practices for example light tractors to reduce soil compaction, inter-row cultures to promote bio diversity in the soil and using inter-cep tools instead of herbicides to remove weeds around the plants.
The estates under the Paul Mas name include Chateau Paul Mas in Pezenas and Montagac, Mas des Tannes, Chateau Cres Ricards, Domaine Astruc, Chateau Martinolles, Clos du Moulinas and the aforementioned Arrogant Frog, which is basically the mascot of the estate.
Dinner was a special treat why I was there with lots of wine pairing opportunities at the restaurant called Cote Mas Table et Vins du Chateau Paul Mas where they created a special menu for us that included Tuna Tataki, Foie Gras two ways with honey and mulled wine, rack of roasted lamb, beef tenderloin, cod fish, sheep blue cheese, sheep tome and finally chocolate terrine and roasted pineapple, oriental style with homemade coconut ice cream.
Overall, the menu at the restaurant is seasonal and locally sourced. There is also an antique slicing machine that stands front and center there to slice the delicious cured ham and also of special delight to the customers is the puddings, but overall the menu is a contemporary take on delicious French classics.
After the fantastic dinner we were driven to our lovely hotel in Pezanas called Hotel de Vigniamont. Pezenas has a magnificently preserved old town and the narrow ancient streets have been marvelously preserved still touting local artisans working at their craft and restaurants hidden in unusual places including alleys if you take the time to search. As you explore the old town you will find stone detail on the doors and windows that give way to wrought iron balconies and old homes from the 16th, 17th and 18th century still standing as if history had merely stopped in this charming little place.
While I was most impressed with the shops that included a variety of antique and eclectic shopping options, for history lovers there is the 18th century Collegiale Church of Saint-Jean as well as Church of Saint-Jean-de-Bébian built in a Romanesque style and considered an important local historic monument.
As we woke the next morning after such good wine and food, a bit of shopping in the town and a night in the most charming Hotel de Vigniamont, which is a 17th century mansion with five old-world rooms and suites in the heart of the historic district, we winded our way up the steps of the old building and found to end this perfect journey the most incredibly displayed breakfast with some hip French music playing to make the memories of the weekend last for a good long time.
A perfect end to the week as we cruised back to Paris in the Volvo XC60 and just like the Swedish are known for, the interior is so inviting it's like being home and take note of the floating center stack with a bit of real wood in the trim and the seats are beyond comfortable.
It is also easy to figure out the knobs and controls and the navigation system on the XC60, which I usually fight with on many cars, this one was intuitive and easy to use. Even better, the overall maximum cargo space for hauling comes in at 67 cubic feet.
So with a price tag starting at $36,400 the 2015 Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E came in with 24 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway, now that's a summer time win for sure.
Photos by Guillaume de Vaudrey
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