The 2009 Rasteau displays the chocolatey roasted herbs and heady Grenache fruit common to this appellation in a medium to full-bodied style with some rustic tannins. (Not yet released) Michel Chapoutier remains one of the world’s leading advocates for minimally handled, natural wine from biodynamically farmed vineyards, with SO2 levels kept as low as possible. Of course, his glories, for the most part, are from his family’s holdings in the northern Rhone, and I will have more on them in an upcoming issue. (But a teaser – Chapoutier claims 2009 is the greatest vintage of his lifetime.) He continues to produce a strong group of white and red wines from the southern Rhone, with significant vineyard holdings in Chateauneuf du Pape. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900