2001 Vin de Pays de l'Herault

Huge amounts of spices and expressive black fruits are found in the aromatic profile of the 2001 La Grange des Peres (red). A more focused and structured effort than in some of this wine’s more successful vintages, it is medium-bodied, powerfully concentrated, and densely packed with black fruits that are marked by herbaceous notes from the Cabernet Sauvignon used in the blend. A slight hint of alcoholic warmth was detected in this effort’s lengthy, ripe tannin-filled finish. Drink it between 2006 and 2012. This estate’s wines are frightfully expensive and terribly hard to locate in the United States, selling out instantly upon arrival on our shores. Nevertheless, it is important for The Wine Advocate to report on them as doing so may inspire young winemakers in the Languedoc to follow in the footsteps of Laurent Vaille, the dedicated, highly talented winemaker of Domaine La Grange des Peres. Importer: Daniel Johnnes/Jeroboam Wines, New York, NY; tel. (212) 625-2505; and Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524