2008 Cotes de Provence Corail

35% Grenache Noir, 25% Syrah, 25% Cinsault, 5% Carignan, 5% Clairette, 5% Rolle. Vines are 20 to 40 years old at 380 m altitude, in west-north-west facing vineyards on stoney-clay and chalk soils – a beautiful amphitheatre just behind the hill from Bandol and Cassis. Harvested between 22 Sep and 14 Oct 2008. Yields of 46 hl/ha. Total production 100,000 bottles. The owner of this 25-ha estate is the young, forward-looking and well-informed Raimond Villeneuve who has experience working for Mommessin in Burgundy. He started to convert the family's estate to biodynamics in 1995 . A pale bright pink, prettily fragrant with the freshest of crushed strawberries and early-morning flowers. Dry, elegant shimmering acidity, vibrant raspberry and strawberry. Persistent and somewhere along the length of the finish, a brush-stroke of Chablis-like minerality. A purity and clarity of fruit that soars soprano.  (TC)