The 2009 Vin de Pays Terre de Bussiere, which is 60% Merlot, 20% Syrah and the rest Grenache, is really a sleeper of the vintage, and given how inexpensive it is, it just might be the best example of this wine I have tasted from Sabon. Black raspberry, cassis, licorice, spice box and new saddle leather notes are all present in this wine, which displays an unctuous texture in a big, jammy, fruit bomb sort of style. It is a pretty wine to drink over the next few years. This impeccably run estate, in the capable hands of Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and their father, is one of the superstars of the southern Rhone Valley. Over the last 12-15 years, the quality of the wines has gone from strength to strength, with brilliant wines being produced in all price categories. They make sumptuous, complex, world-class red, white and rose Cotes du Rhones, and year-in and year-out, their Chateauneuf du Papes are among the top three or four wines of the vintage. Tasting two great vintages (2009 and 2010) from the Sabons was one of the most thrilling tastings I have had this year. My tasting began with some unbelievable Cotes du Rhones.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

Speaking of 2009s, the 2009 Vin de Pays, which is essentially a Syrah/Grenache blend, is a pleasant, straightforward wine that is inexpensive, tasty, and ideal for casual quaffing. The other final 2009 wines were reviewed last year, but I thought I would take another look at them and found them largely unchanged, although in some cases the wines are slightly better since more complexity has emerged. This impeccably run estate, in the capable hands of Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and their father, is one of the superstars of the southern Rhone Valley. Over the last 12-15 years, the quality of the wines has gone from strength to strength, with brilliant wines being produced in all price categories. They make sumptuous, complex, world-class red, white and rose Cotes du Rhones, and year-in and year-out, their Chateauneuf du Papes are among the top three or four wines of the vintage. Tasting two great vintages (2009 and 2010) from the Sabons was one of the most thrilling tastings I have had this year. My tasting began with some unbelievable Cotes du Rhones.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565