91/100 The pungent smokiness one associates with schist is prominent in the nose of the H & B 2005 Saint-Chinian (even though the blend favors more Grenache and Mourvedre and more chalk soil than in 2006), along with ripe yet bright cherry fruit, and alluring perfume of iris. In the mouth, the contrast of soothing […]
92/100 The 2005 Cotes du Roussillon Villages – from what Hecht and Bannier call “a perfect vintage for Roussillon” – pours forth aromas and juicy sumptuous profusion of ripe black raspberry and cassis, but smoke, pencil lead, salt, chalk, and wet stone are never any farther from the surface than is the mother rock in […]
91/100 Hecht & Bannier’s 2005 Faugeres is a great tribute not just to its outstanding terroir, but to the skill with which the down-sides of this vintage have been overcome to present a wine of palpable density but remarkably refined tannins and fresh fruit. That said, this is more than anything else about mineral and […]
Gregory Hecht and Francois Bannier’s negociant partnership – entering its seventh year – is singularly quality-oriented, and their connections with growers and tireless tasting trips throughout the Languedoc and Roussillon (350-400 visits each year) are rewarding wine lovers wherever their limited production is sold. Make no mistake: wines under the Hecht & Bannier label can […]
88/100 Constituated primarily of Syrah from Saint Chinian and the Terrases du Larzac, and Grenache from Roussillon. The wine is so exuberantly and insistently redolent of fresh black raspberry, so salty, incisively bright, pungently herbal, and spicy, that it should act like a tonic on uninitiated and jaded palates alike. It certainly stimulated my appetite […]
(90-91)/100 Hecht & Bannier’s 2007 Minervois leans heavily on Syrah from La Liviniere, along with some Grenache and Carignan. Prior to bottling (and with the blend subject to small final adjustments), it smells of cassis, marjoram, and white pepper. Lush and silken in texture on the palate, it combines richness with vivacity and freshness of […]
(92-93)/100 The Hecht & Bannier 2007 Saint-Chinian comes from Syrah, Grenache, very little Mourvedre, and little or no Carignan “as far as we know,” they say, laughing, since old “Grenache” blocks are by no means certified. The fruit represents all three basic soils of the appellation: schist, chalk, and sandstone, and a portion of the […]
(92-93)/100 The 2007 Cotes du Roussillon Villages from geologically diverse sites in a half dozen outstanding villages is composed primarily of Grenache, with smaller amounts of Carignan, Syrah, and Mourvedre. “The Carignan” from high elevation Belesta and Caramany “is key,” maintains Hecht, because Grenache from schist in Maury (which make up about a quarter of […]
(93-94)/100 From Syrah and Mourvedre grown on pure schist, Hecht and Bannier’s 2007 Faugeres – like its predecessors – will spend close to two years in demi-muid. “Every year,” remarks Bannier, “we have this question about how far we can go into Mourvedre,” and thus far the answer appears to have been “ever deeper.” The […]
90/100 Mint, marjoram, rosemary, roasted meats, and black fruit compote are liberally doled out to the nose and palate from Hecht and Bannier’s 2006 Minervois, which favors overwhelmingly Syrah, plus some Grenache and scarcely any Carignan or Mourvedre. A welcome fresh, subtly tart juiciness (reflecting the vintage’s relatively high acidity) builds in the finish, while […]
