As for the estate reds, the 2005 Fayard, which is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Mourvedre, is aged on its lees in tank and has nearly no sulfur dioxide added. It has the vintage’s tell-tale cool-climate acidity, which gives the wine more nerve and vibrancy than normal, but seems to curtail the texture. The wine is fresh, medium-bodied, and reveals elegant black cherry, peppery, herb notes with a hint of blacker fruits in the mouth. Tasty and medium-bodied, it should drink well for 4-5 years. One of the best run if not the finest estate in the Cotes du Ventoux is Fondreche. Shrewd consumers should have been stocking up on these wines for a number of years as they represent terrific values. They all exhibit beautifully pure fruit infused with plenty of Provencal character.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083