Abbe Rous, Banyuls Heylos

Abbe Rous, Banyuls HeylosThis wine is made by the brilliant Libourne St. Emilion doctor and chteau owner, Dr. Alain Raynaud. This is his first venture in southern France, and the results are very impressive. This offering is personally made by Dr. Raynaud from vineyards owned by Cave de l'Abb Rous. As of May, 2004, there is no American importer, probably because Banyuls is not a household name for most American wine consumers, which is a shame. A brilliant example of Banyuls,

This is a relatively refined Nuits 1er that is built-to-age yet not especially austere and thus should drink well after only 5 to 7 years of age

but leaves an overly firm impression of oak

This is also reserved but slightly riper with much more elegant red pinot fruit suffused with obvious minerality and a certain coolness that leads to rich

Then cool and refreshing on the end

I like both the depth and the length to be found on the youthfully austere and moderately firm finale

floral and – surprisingly – a lightly herbal note to the nose

the wine was aged in 100% new

and hazelnuts

Pale salmon

This is a lovely showing

(from a small

Supple and broad but lively