2006 Fleurie "Les Garants," Domaine du Vissoux, Pierre Chermette

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "From similarly middle-aged vines on decomposed granite, Chermette’s 2006 Fleurie Les Garants – grown at the highest elevation in its appellation, but classified as Moulin-a-Vent until 1927 – typically possesses a quite distinctive, more tannic personality vis a vis the Poncie. Cassis, plum, and peach tinged with bitter fruit pit and tactile cinnamon spice notes stain the palate, and fascinating saline, stony, yet savory minerality inform a gripping, mouth-watering finish..." (08/08) grown up among the vines of Domaine de Vissoux, in the Saint Vérand region of France, Pierre-Marie Chermette has endeavored to continue his family's tradition, expanding and improving upon it with the help of his wife, Martine. Among the first in the region to use sustainable agricultural practice, the wines of Domaine de Vissoux are fermented using native yeasts and bottled with minimal filtration. This wine comes from the "Les Garants" plot of Gamay in Fleurie, a recently acquired site boasting 30-year-old vines planted on southwest-facing pink granite slopes. Garnet red in color with tinges of violet at the rim, this wine is incredibly aromatic, like a bouquet of roses with hints of spice. On the palate, the wine bursts with ripe red and black berry flavors marked by delicate tannins. Drink now or cellar between 5-10 years.