Equally impressive although completely different in style is the 2009 Cotes du Rhone Les Cros. Made from 100% Syrah aged in demi-muids, this full-bodied wine proves that Syrah from the south can possess complexity as well as freshness (two characteristics Syrahs from the sunny Southern Rhone often lack). A dense purple color is followed by aromas of blackberries, licorice, camphor, and incense, a deep, full-bodied mouthfeel, silky tannins, and a terrific finish. Consume it over the next 5-7 years. I have been following this estate for a decade and except for a few hiccups in 2002 and 2003, it has consistently turned out fine wines. Moreover, since Philippe Cambie was brought in as the consulting oenologist, it has become even more reliable.Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Coatesville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800; fax (610) 486-6452