Two good value picks from Marcoux include the Lirac offerings.They continue to be a work in progress, and the 2007 Lirac Domaine La Lorentine is the finest example yet produced. There are only 7,000 bottles of this 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre and Syrah blend. It exhibits elegant, juicy blue and black fruits intermixed with notions of earth and spring flowers. Medium-bodied, fresh, and lively, it is best consumed over the next 3-4 years. I’m always interested in what sisters Sophie and Catherine Armenier are doing at this biodynamically farmed vineyard, one of my favorite estates. Not surprisingly, they have produced extraordinary wines in 2007 as well as 2006s that are nearly as good. As most vignerons do, the Armeniers attribute the greatness of the 2007 vintage to both the drought that lasted from late spring through the end of September as well as the cooler than normal temperatures that were followed by three weeks of ferocious Mistral winds in September. Without any serious heat spikes, the Mistral seemed to concentrate the grapes, with the cooler weather causing very intense aromatics. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565