The amazing 2007 Cotes du Rhone St.-Esprit (75% Syrah and 25% Grenache) reveals a northern Rhone orientation, but it is loaded with spice and black fruits, and displays a beautiful opulent texture as well as a gorgeous finish with impressive purity. Chateauneuf du Pape has also benefitted from the new attention to detail and upgraded quality. The good news is that there are about 1,500 cases of this cuvee. This great northern Rhone negociant, spearheaded by their brilliant oenologist and winemaker, Jacques Grange, has consistently made fabulous wines from the northern appellations, but only recently upgraded the quality of their southern Rhone selections. These are the finest southern Rhones they have made, and their Cotes du Rhone St.-Esprit ranks alongside the offerings from Guigal and Chapoutier.Importer: Maison Marques et Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 587-2000

Offers a tasty mix of blueberry, plum and currant fruit, layered with roasted vanilla bean and coffee hints. Has a nicely focused finish. Drink now. 58,330 cases made. -JM

Made in a fruit-forward, ripe style, this blend of Grenache and Syrah delivers a plump, chunky, satisfying blend of plum and chocolate flavors.——J.C.(12/15/2009)—— 88