The top-notch 2005 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes from Tardieu-Laurent is about 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvedre. This wine has that roasted scorched earth character that is not dissimilar from a top-notch Graves in Bordeaux, but the kirsch liqueur and black chocolate clearly suggest Rasteau. Full-bodied with more finesse-styled tannins than normally found in Rasteau, the wine has tremendous intensity, is big, mouth-staining, should benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and last for 12-15+ years. Michel Tardieu, who has exceptional knowledge about some of the finest vineyards and grape sources in both the northern and southern Rhone, utilizes the consulting services of renowned oenologist Philippe Cambie. The southern cuvees in 2005 were all very strong. These wines are generally aged in small, new oak barrels but with the Grenache cuvees kept in less new oak. Certainly they can show some new oak early in their life, but experience has taught me that after 4-5 years they become well-integrated in the richer, riper years. Importers: Martin Scott Wines, Little Neck, NY; tel. (516) 327-0808, Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0029 and William-Harrison Imports, Inc. Manassas, Virginia 20109 (tel) (703) 815-9463.