Only 4,000 bottles were made of the 2005 Il Etait Une Fois. This is a one-hit wonder, a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre. Aged in 100% new oak, which almost goes against the philosophy of the estate, somehow the Grenache has easily soaked up the wood and doesn’t reveal the vanillin or creaminess from the new toasty barrels. Dense ruby/purple with gorgeous black cherry and raspberry fruit, this wine has superb concentration, plenty of structure and tannin, as one might expect from this vintage, and I suspect at least 10-15 years of aging potential. This is a beauty that is limited in production.Fondreche is the reference point for what can be done in the Cotes du Ventoux. This is a source of sensational wines that still sell for incredibly fair prices, and virtually every one of these selections proves that you don’t have to drink luxury-priced Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Napa Cabernets to experience the multiple joys of wine. Some of these wines I reviewed out of bottle a year ago, but since I retasted them, I’ve provided new notes.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083