2010 Cotes du Roussillon Village Les Sorcieres

The Clos des Fees 2010 Cotes du Roussillon Les Sorcieres - consisting in this instance of fruit from young estate Syrah vines supplemented with contract Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvedre - had just been bottled when I tasted it in April. Ripe, juicy blackberry and elderberry inform a sleek palate, piquant notes of citrus peel and fruit pit adding to the invigoration of an exuberantly fruity but salt- and chalk-tinged finish. This ought to remain mouth-wateringly enticing for at least the next several years. Herve Bizeul - for more about whose ideals and perfectionism, consult my report in issue 183 - continues to supplement his by now iconic range of Clos des Fees wines with intriguing and serious experiments. (For an account of two more of Bizeul's wines from outside of the Clos des Fees portfolio, see under Domaine La Chique and Walden in this report. As Bizeul points out, he will be concurrently represented in the U.S. market by introductory level wines from three different vintages.) Importers include Domaine Select Wine Estates, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799; Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476; and M. S. Walker, Somerville, MA; tel. (617) 776-6700