Over the past quarter century, La Tour Vieille has built up an impressive reputation, and their most recent releases demonstrate that they are among the elite estates of Roussillon. The Tour Vieille 2004 Collioure Puig Ambeille (from roughly equal parts Grenache, Carignan and Mourvedre) offers a profusion of floral and black-fruit aromas backed by meaty intensity and with hints of herbs and vanilla. Very refined in texture and tannins, this coats the palate with clear, bright black fruits, resinous herbal oils, and subtle saline and wet stone mineral suggestions. It should be fascinating to follow and compare the three La Tour Vieille Collioures for at least the next 3-5 years. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524