The 2005 Cotes du Rhone has excellent color, low pH (which is characteristic of the vintage), sweet strawberry and black cherry fruit, good, crisp acidity, hints of minerals and spice, and a moderately long finish. Over the last decade Domaine de la Janasse has become one of the half dozen or so finest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape. However, they also produce an impressive range of Cotes du Rhones. This was also one of the few dozen or so estates that had exceptional success in 2003, a challenging vintage but, for those who did it right, some monumental wines. Proprietor Christophe Sabon compares 2004 with 1999, but with slightly more fruit and power. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565