The Domaine des 3 Vallees 2008 Cotes du Roussillon-Villages – a blend of Grenache from schist with Syrah from chalk (plus 10% Carignan), half aged in new and used barrels – had been assembled but not yet bottled when I sampled it in June. Smelling and tasting of blueberry preserves laced with maple syrup and herbal essences, its soothing, liqueur-like richness is enlivened by a tart, fresh black fruit edge and the pungency of black pepper. An impressively persistent finish seals the irresistible deal. This should be worth following for at least 3-4 years. Domaine des 3 Vallees is a new project of importer Dan Kravitz (wines from whose own Roussillon estate, Domaine Cabirau, are profiled elsewhere in this report, as well as in issue 183), and takes advantage of the custom crush facilities of the cooperative of Tautavel as well as of quality fruit available from its members. The sample of a clearly concentrated and promising Syrah-dominated Villages-Tautabel cuvee did not make it to me in good shape, and will in any event retail for $32, so a report on it will have to await a later occasion.Importer: Handpicked Selections, Warrenton, VA; tel. (540) 347 9400