92/100
Having lost part of their usual supplies of Mourvedre and Syrah to hail, Hecht and Bannier sourced some Grenache from the western edge of the appellation for their 2008 Faugeres. A vivid evocation of crushed stone as well as of high-toned intimations of herbal and dark berry and plum distillates runs all the way through this. But there is also ample, sappy concentration of sheer fresh ripe berries, with dark chocolate, and salted pan-drippings making for bittersweet and mouthwatering persistence. You’d never guess that this was such a troubled vintage in which trusted Hecht & Bannier suppliers had every reason to hoard for their own domaine bottlings whatever fruit survived the hail. The result here is as much a tribute to the relationship that this team enjoys with some of the Languedoc’s best growers as it is to their skill and ingenuity. Like any Faugeres of its vintage, I would monitor this for signs of weakness as it evolves, but I honestly think you’re safe for at least half a dozen years. US$35
