Domaine Saint Prefert

Formerly a banker, Isabel Ferrando gave up her career to buy St Prefert in 2002. After the harvest rains that year, she must have felt like one of the 12 year olds who manage my pension. Since then flood has turned to drought and her subsequent vintages have been superb. Her wines have come to our notice partly because of the domaine`s vines. Old as is common, but 40% Mourvedre, which is distinctly uncommon. They have a gamey quality imparted by that Mourvedre and are seriously structured, too. Isabel`s training was at Raspail in Gigondas and she has learned well; we expect her progression to continue. Apart from being a superb winemaker, former banker whose connections are still live, an artist with a sense of humour, she`s also the owner of a large, elderly, farting dog, which may be why Parker likes the estate so much. (CW 20/03/2007)