Representing a blend of Syrah (from young vines), Grenache, and Carignan for the American market; labeled as "Cotes Catalanes" rather than "Cotes du Roussillon;" and tasted just prior to bottling, the 2010 La Croix de Bila-Haut offers high-toned aromas of mint, violet, blackberry and cassis shadowed by their distilled counterparts; hits the palate with invigorating brightness; then fizzles just slightly in a finish laced with slightly gum-numbing tannin. All in all, though, this should offer value over the next 12-18 months. (To my surprise, the 2010 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut red - set to have been bottled already in May - had nowhere near the freshness from tank of this little "La Croix" bottling. Resinous herb and cooked boysenberry informed an undeniably generous performance, but one that I suspect and hope will be considerably surpassed after bottling, so I decided not to publish a rating or a full note.) Michel Chapoutier's Roussillon domaine - for further details on which, consult my report in issue 183 - has taken on considerable additional acreage since I filed that last report, resulting in among other things a fascinating white cuvee in what had previously been an all-red portfolio, and the inclusion of more fruit - in black as well as white - from spectacularly-situated high-elevation, granite-rich, late-ripening sites in Lesquerde, well to the west of Latour-de-France. Gilles Troullier continues to direct vinification as well as viticulture (here biodynamic) like the seasoned maestro that he is. With few exceptions, the wines sing with clarity, purity, and complexity, not to mention performing well above what on the basis of price (save for that of the "v.i.t." cuvee) would deceptively appear to be their station. (For Chapoutier's wines from Banyuls, see under his own name in this report, as that is how those are labeled.)Importer: H. B. Wine Merchants, New York, NY; tel. (917) 402-0456