2004 Côtes du Roussillon Villages

A complex and alluring meld of blueberry, black tea, honey, and marjoram, as well as saline and wet stone mineral suggestions inform the nose of Bizeul’s 2004 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Le Clos de Fees, a cuvee informed by roughly equal parts Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah from his “home vineyard” in Vingrau. Palpably rich and liqueur-like in its blue- and black-fruit concentration, this tenaciously coats the palate, pouring a polished slick over its abundant tannins and finishing with near-indelible, fruit preserve- and tar-like intensity. Yet for all of its unctuousness and power, there is considerable herbal, mineral, and spice nuance on display here as well. I am intrigued by this wine’s developmental possibilities, but one certainly needs to give it at least 3-5 years to gain a fair indicator. Importer: Eric Solomon Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565