The 2010 Les Mines is a dark wine with aromas of ripe black fruit, some notes of hay and straw, ink, licorice and abundant tannins, relatively easy to drink. Drink now-2016. The winery, created in 1995 by Jose Manuel Fuentes, changed hands in 2004 and also expanded the wine range with some single-vineyard wines, which I found to be good but not outstanding. Importer: Esprit du Vin French Wine Merchants & Select European Estates, Port Washington, NY; tel. (516) 802-4726

The 2009 Les Mines is a blend of 70% Garnacha, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah from a single vineyard in Bellmunt, raised for 11 months in third-fill French barrels. It has a very opulent, “inky” bouquet that gives little away despite rigorous coaxing. The palate is full-bodied with succulent ripe dark cherry and creme de cassis fruit, but it is missing some delineation and comes across as rather monolithic on the finish. Drink 2015-2025. Importer: Palm Bay International, FL; tel. (561) 362-9642