Chapoutier’s 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau displays a big, dense ruby/purple color in addition to copious notes of chocolate, scorched earth, licorice, pepper, black currants, and black cherry offered in a full-bodied, heady format. Michel Chapoutier fashions some terrific low-end wines that sell for a song, and in 2007, they are of exceptionally high quality. The handful of 2008s I tasted also look very good for the vintage. These are sleeper selections, especially his La Ciboise and Estubiers from the Coteaux du Tricastin. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900

Chapoutier’s 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau displays a big, dense ruby/purple color in addition to copious notes of chocolate, scorched earth, licorice, pepper, black currants, and black cherry offered in a full-bodied, heady format. Michel Chapoutier fashions some terrific low-end wines that sell for a song, and in 2007, they are of exceptionally high quality. The handful of 2008s I tasted also look very good for the vintage. These are sleeper selections, especially his La Ciboise and Estubiers from the Coteaux du Tricastin.Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900