From a 15-acre vineyard near the historic city of Meknes (the appellation is Guerrouane), the 2003 Lumière de l'Atlas, a blend of Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache, cropped at 20-25 hectoliters per hectare, reveals a C?tes du Rh?ne-like style. Peppery/roasted herb notes mixed with black cherry liqueur, spice box, and loamy soil characteristics caress the palate with no hard edges. This is unquestionably one of the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from Morocco. This is a true vin de plaisir or vin gourmand with medium body, a seamless texture, and a long finish. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Sadly, at this time there is no American importer for this wine, although Bernard Magrez's international connections should ensure that these cuvees end up in the better restaurants and wine shops of not only France, but Western Europe. Hopefully, an innovative American importer will see fit to give American consumers access to these intriguing efforts.This wine will appear under the name Gerard Depardieu. Quantities for his wines range from 400-600 cases, and the debut vintage (2002) will hit the marketplace in fall, 2004.

The 2002 Lumière l'Atlas reveals greater richness than the 2003. Cropped at only 2-3 grapes per vine, it boasts a deep plum/ruby color in addition to a voluptuous palate, and sweet black cherry and berry fruit intermixed with notions of smoke, earth, and pepper. This fat, low acid, dense, sumptuous offering is dominated by its Grenache and Syrah components. Enjoy this full-bodied 2002 over the next 4-5 years. This is unquestionably one of the most brilliant wines I have ever tasted from Morocco. Sadly, at this time there is no American importer for this wine, although Bernard Magrez's international connections should ensure that these cuvees end up in the better restaurants and wine shops of not only France, but Western Europe. Hopefully, an innovative American importer will see fit to give American consumers access to these intriguing efforts.This wine will appear under the name Gerard Depardieu. Quantities for his wines range from 400-600 cases, and the debut vintage (2002) will hit the marketplace in fall, 2004.