Whereas in 2011 Hecht & Bannier had to seek sources of Syrah to replace those hammered by hail, Gregory Hecht calls 2012 “the revenge of the Syrah in Roussillon,” and their 2012 Cotes du Roussillon Villages incorporates from of that variety from Lesquerde as well as fruit for the grapes and places that informed the corresponding 2011 reviewed here as well. Tasted assembled from tank, this 2012 exhibits a Syrah-typical, soy-like streak that serves for mouthwatering persistence. An almost bitter point of collective dark berry, resinous herb and carnal concentration – incorporating juniper berry, huckleberry, and cherry pit – guarantees palate-staining persistence in a cuvee that promises excellent value through at least 2018. Gregory Hecht and Francois Bannier – for more about whose impeccable micro-negociant operation, consult the Languedoc section of my reports in issues 183 and 195 – have recently expanded both their total production and their range of bottlings, but that has not significantly affected their limited offerings specific to Roussillon. (See my upcoming Languedoc report for notes on recent Hecht & Bannier releases from inter alia Faugeres, Minervois and Saint-Chinian.) Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700