Grape: 50% Grenache et LLadoner Pelut, 35% Carignan, and 15% Syrah
Region: Cotes du Roussillon, France

Producer's Notes:

"Clos des Fees is relatively new in the wine world, beginning in 1998, when Herve and Claudine settled in Vingrau, on the high cool slopes of the northern edge of Roussillon. Herve recognized the quality potential of the cool high sites of these magnificent limestone based vineyards sitting well above the valley floors where most producers work in easier and more fertile soils. The vineyards of Vingrau and the higher slopes could not be more complex, different, or difficult, to work than those on the lower flat land. Buying up old and often abandoned vineyards from these high slopes. Herve has gradually amassed dozens of tiny plots, of which many are magnificent mature vineyards spread throughout these cooler slopes. With a large team of vineyard workers, they work approximately only 2 hectares of vines each throughout the year, producing tiny yields of perfectly ripe fruit which also retain excellent freshness and acidity. Vinifying gently and using minimal SO2 during the winemaking process the resulting wines show remarkable finesse and freshness behind perfectly ripe fruit that shows its origins from these fresh limestone based soils. Whilst focusing on the varieties that have always been the strength of this historic region, Herve has also managed to produce great results with white wine as well as introducing carefully selected root stock from Merlot and Cabernet franc, as well as other varieties. The freshness and polish he achieves in these immaculate wines is testament not only to his wine-making skills but also his knowledge of the great wines of the world having previously worked as a sommelier in Paris and running his own restaurant."