The 2009 Cotes du Rhone exhibits garrigue and Provencal herb notes in a light-bodied style, with hard tannins in the finish. As a frequent buyer of wines from this bio-dynamically farmed estate, I have been an advocate of these wines for over two decades. I was not presented with any 2008s to taste during my trip, which I take as a sign of no confidence in how they are performing. The 2009s, while very good, underperformed compared to just about every top vintage in Chateauneuf du Pape over the last 15-20 years. The two whites revealed contrasting styles. The Coulons normally do a fabulous job with their Cotes du Rhones, particularly their Rasteau from blue clay soils called Argiles Bleus. Importers: A Christopher Cannan Selection, Europvin; Lauber Imports, Somerville, NJ; tel. (908) 725-2100 and Ruby Wines, Avon, MA; tel. (508) 588-7007