2013 Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes

The label tells us that this is from a 'Terroir d'altitude – Vin du Fenouillèdes'. A longstanding favourite (the 2001 was a 2003 wine of the week ) this vintage seems less tense and reductive than of old. Fine-textured oak-aged blend grown on rocky terrain in the Agly valley. Rather more obviously fruity than it used to be but it's impressively long. Lightly honeyed and waxy with a menthol note. (JR)